USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1927 > Part 21
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The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion to fix the compensation of the members of the Board of Health.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salary of the Assessors.
The Committee recommends that the salary of the Assessors be increased to $1,600.00.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to dispose of any right which it has in a parcel of land lying on the westerly side of South Street, between the premises of Charles H. Raymond and Anthony Guidetti.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of the right, if any, which it has in the land described in Article 35.
Article 36. To see if the Town will pass the following vote: That no article appropriating money for the uses of the Town, or any department of the Town, shall be acted upon at any special Town Meeting, or at any meet- ing other than the annual March Town Meeting, unless the Board of Selectmen by a majority vote shall certify that in their opinion action upon any such article is nec-
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essary; and that in no case shall any action be taken upon any such article appropriating money, unless at least two hundred qualified voters of the Town be pres- ent. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion under Article Thirty-Six.
This recommendation is made on account of proposal of petitioner to withdraw the Article.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to appropri- ate a sum not exceeding thirty thousand (30,000) dollars from the surplus now standing as a credit balance on the Excess and Deficiency Account to reduce the tax levy of the current year.
The Committee recommends that the Town vote to ap- propriate $30,000.00 from the surplus now standing as a credit balance on the Excess and Deficiency Account to reduce the tax levy of the current year.
Article 38. 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 the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the transfer of the sum of $5,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
The total recommendations this year amount to $744,- 984.26 which compared with the total appropriations of last spring $768,396.22, indicates a substantial decrease in the tax rate this year.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
Alton D. Edes, Chairman; Edward A. Buttner, Alfred L. Barnes, Isaac B. Holmes, Herbert A. Stockbridge, Roy E. Beaman, Aldo Giovanetti, William P. Libby, Guy R. Cole, George A. Parks, Willard H. Parsons, William H. Pridham.
ELMER R. HARLOW, Secretary.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
ON THE ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT FOR THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JUNE 2, 1928
The Committee, duly organized for the ensuing year, in accordance with the Town By-Law, has considered the several articles in this warrant. It has conferred with the Selectmen and Planning Board, has heard the peti- tioners and others known to be interested or in a position to furnish information, and herewith submits its unani- mous recommendations to the Town.
Article 2. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of three hundred and thirty (330) dollars for pen- sions for town laborers.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of three hundred and thirty (330) dollars for pensions for town laborers.
Article 3. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of eleven hundred and thirty (1,130) dollars for ad- ditional damages caused by the relocation of the westerly line of Court Street over land of Josephine M. Crosby.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of eleven hundred and thirty (1,130) dollars for additional damages caused by the relocation of the westerly line of Court Street over the land of Josephine M. Crosby.
Article 4. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twenty-two thousand (22,000) dollars to repair and resurface Court, Main and Sandwich Streets from Kingston line to Jabez Corner and authorize the Select- men in consideration of the cancellation and surrender
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by the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company of its franchise or location granted by the Town of Plymouth, and the release of all its rights thereunder, to release the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Com- pany from all liability to remove its rails and ties from said streets and further to release the said Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company from all liability to repair and restore said streets which may be made neces- sary by reason of the removal of said rails and ties by the Town.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of twenty-two thousand' (22,000) dollars to re- pair and resurface Court, Main and Sandwich Streets from the Kingston line to Jabez Corner, and authorize the Selectmen to act as set forth in this article.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote that a com- mittee of five be appointed by the Selectmen to consult with the Plymouth Electric Light Company and the Plymouth Gas Light Company or other authorities re- garding rates, and to take such action as they may deem advisable.
The Committee recommends that the Town vote that a committee of five be appointed by the Selectmen for the purposes mentioned in this article.
Article 6. To see if the Town will rescind the vote passed at the regular town meeting held March 24, 1928, under Article 29, relative to the layout of a public way from Billington Street to land of Malaguti on Standish Avenue. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the vote be NOT rescinded.
Article 7. To see if the Town will accept sections 32 to 47, inclusive, of chapter 147 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, relative to licensed boxing contests. (By petition.)
The question to be settled in this article is entirely a moral one and in no way involves the financial or busi- ness affairs of the Town. For that reason the Advisory
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and Finance Committee feel that they are not called upon to make any recommendations.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
William P. Libby, Chairman; Sumner A. Chapman, James S. Swanton, George B. Sweeney, Harold A. C. Bumpus, Mansfield S. O'Brien, George A. Parks, Jr., Willard H. Parsons, William H. Pridham, Henry O. Davis, Arthur H. Luce, Harold G. Roberts, Henry W. Royal, J. Henry Shaw.
ELMER R. HARLOW, Secretary.
REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
ON THE ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT FOR THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 24, 1928
The Committee has considered the several articles in this Warrant, conferred with the officers and departments interested, and submits its recommendations as follows :
Article 2. To see if the Town will indemnify the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage damages which may he caused by or result from the laying out, alteration, con- struction or reconstruction of the State Highway known as Warren Avenue and Manomet Road, or any section or relocation thereof, and will authorize the Board of Select- men to sign an indemnity agreement therefor in behalf of the Town, and make an appropriation therefor, or take any other action with respect thereto.
The Committee recommends that the Town vote to in- demnify the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage damages which may be caused by or result from the laying ont, alteration, construction or reconstruction of the State Highway known as Warren Avenue and Manomet Road,
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or any section or relocation thereof, and that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sign an indemnity agree- ment therefor, in behalf of the Town indemnifying the Commonwealth as aforesaid, and that the sum of two hundred (200) dollars be appropriated towards the ex- pense and damage thereof.
Article 3. To see what action the Town will take in regard to establishing building lines on the westerly side of Main Street over land of Stoddard at No. 58, and on the westerly side of Court Street from the northeasterly corner of the building now or formerly of Josephine M. Crosby to South Russell Street, as established by the Se- lectmen and reported to the Town, and to prescribe the extent that structures shall be erected between said lines and the exterior lines of Main and Court Streets, and to what extent existing structures shall be permitted to re- main or be maintained in said area.
The Committee recommends the establishment of these building lines as shown on the plan and described in the order of the Board of Selectmen, and reported to the Town, with the distinct proviso, agreement and under- standing that all buildings or parts of buildings, embank- ments, steps, walls, fences, and gates now existing shall be permitted to remain and to be maintained to such ex- tent as they now are; and that steps, windows, porticos and other projections appurtenant to the front wall of any building now existing shall be permitted.
Article 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to release to Leon R. Scott or his attorney, upon payment of all taxes and charges thereon, the title to a parcel of real estate at the corner of Bradford and Watercure Streets taken by the Town for non-payment of taxes.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to release the title to the property mentioned in the above article to said Scott or his attor- ney upon payment of all taxes and charges thereon, and
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with the provision that the unsightly and dangerous building now on the land shall be removed.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Fire Commissioner to dispose of the steam fire engines known as Number One and Number Two.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Fire Commissioner to dispose of the steam fire en- gines known as Number One and Number Two.
Article 6. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding Two thousand (2,000) dollars for the Health Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of Two thousand (2,000) dollars for the Health Department.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding Sixteen hundred (1,600) dollars for the Public Welfare Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of Sixteen hundred (1,600) dollars for the Public Welfare Department.
Article 8. To see if the Town will authorize a transfer of funds from the Park Department Appropriation to the Public Playground Appropriation.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the transfer of the sum of Seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars from the Park Department Appropriation to the Public Playground Appropriation.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
William P. Libby, Chairman; Sumner A. Chapman, Aldo
Giovanetti, James S. Swanton, George B. Sweeney, Harold A. C. Bumpus, Mansfield S. O'Brien, George A. Parks, Jr., Willard H. Parsons, William H. Prid- ham, Henry O. Davis, Arthur H. Luce, Harold G. Roberts, Henry W. Royal, J. Henry Shaw.
ELMER R. HARLOW, Secretary.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The Annual Report of the Selectmen is intended to pro- vide in a condensed form, information of a general char- acter, for those who do not care to study the somewhat complicated financial reports of the several departments. It must necessarily be "sketchy" but those desiring more definite knowledge can supplement this by referring to the financial statements.
The business of the Town in the past year has been of the usual routine nature. There have been no unusual happenings to cause any heavy expenditures outside the Appropriations, and the Departments with the exception of Public Welfare have kept well within the sums allotted them. The condition of industry in general throughout New England has been felt here in some degree. At the present time there is a considerable amount of unemploy- ment. This naturally makes itself apparent in the De- partment of Public Welfare, and it has been necessary to overdraw this appropriation. This is a condition that could not be foreseen nor averted, and the law compels the Town to relieve distress. Nor would anyone deny to the deserving needy-relief under such circumstances.
The Highway Department has carried out its program as outlined at the beginning of the year and all the projects are completed with the exception of the Water Street Extension road a portion of which has been left to settle as it was a new fill, until spring. There are suf- ficient funds remaining from the appropriation to finish this work. In the removal of the Street Railway Tracks it was found desirable to surface to a wider extent than contemplated, and this made the appropriation insuffici- ent to entirely finish the whole distance. The work as far
Plymouth Three
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as completed has resulted in a very satisfactory addition to the usable portion of the Main Street, and has been much appreciated by those who are obliged to use the street every day. It is intended to complete this at an early date. The policy of hardsurfacing the side streets has been continued and nearly all of the side streets in the main part of the Town are now provided with a good usable surface. It is intended to keep on with this practice from year to year, as there are many outside roads that can be maintained in this manner cheaply and with great satisfaction to the users.
The sidewalks have been added to as fast as the appro- priation would allow, and it is doubtful if any Town or small city in this vicinity has any better public ways than our town. It is also intended to continue this pol- icy. It being our ambition to have every street in the town limits provided with a water proof walk at least on one side of the street. Granolithic walks have been laid to the extent of the funds available, and in most cases in cooperation with the abutting owners. This, too, should be kept up.
The new so-called "Westerly Road" has been cut through and rough graded in accordance with the plan submitted at the last Annual Meeting. A very consider- able portion of the water pipe has been laid and the stand- pipe erected. When this is completed it will be of great benefit to the property owners in that part of the Town as they will now be able to get a sufficient supply of water which before could not be done, and also have much better fire protection.
There are several new streets being presented to the Town for acceptance at the coming meeting. This is some- thing that will always be with us. As new tracts are opened and people build it will be necessary for the Town to add to its street mileage. In particular, Manomet has been urging for several years to have some of the so- called "Summer Colony streets" taken over. It has been
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difficult to do this in the past on account of insufficient funds, but we are this year making a start on Manomet Avenue, and hope to continue from year to year until the more important roads are taken care of.
The question of police quarters is one that is coming soon. The County Commissioners are preparing plans for extensive alterations in the building now used as Police Station. The proposition will soon be put to the Town as to whether it is a better plan to invest from $15,000 to $20,000 in this building or to build a building of our own in some other locality. It is a serious matter and should be carefully thought out. The work of the Police Depart- ment has been well done this past year. The constant increase in traffic makes larger and larger demands on the present force, and it is quite a problem to arrange a schedule that will take care of traffic and at the same time cover the other needs of the Town. . Should the Town grant the not unreasonable request of the Officers for an eight hour day (as obtains in most other Towns) it . will be necessary to add two permanent men to the department. This is a matter for the voters to decide. But it seems not undesirable to keep in line with other communities and other lines of labor. Eight hours is being accepted as a standard day most everywhere.
The Lighting system has been added to as need has appeared and this will probably continue. Light at night is one of the best investments that a town can make, not only as regards the comfort and convenience of the citi- zens but as a deterrent of crime. Well lighted streets do not appeal to law breaker, and while our Town is quite free from serious crime it is much better to take every possible preventive measure than to be sorry afterwards. The ordinary 40 candle power lights that comprised the larger part of the Town's lighting system have been re- placed with others of 60 candle power, giving much more light and very little more expense. It is intended to light Brewster Gardens this coming season and thus do away
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with some of the minor disorder that has taken place in that locality.
The Memorial Hall has done a trifle better this past year than before. But the increase in receipts has been entirely from the large hall, the use of the small one hav- ing fallen off materially. As may be seen from the finan- cial statement it does not pay its way and whatever ad- vantage the Town gains must always be in the fact that we have a desirable place in which to hold large gather- ing, and in the advertising value that such a place gives to the Town.
It has developed this past year that the floor in the large hall has given way and investigation has shown that the timbers under the floor have completely rotted away. This will necessitate relaying the floor on a proper foun- dation. Most of the upper floor can probably be saved. We have endeavored to place the blame for this defect, but have been unable to get either architect or builder to admit any fault. And while it is very evident that there is fault somewhere it appears to be impossible to place it.
The situation of the Town Wharf has not changed much in the past year. There is a gradual increase in the use made of it and there are a few more locations rented than formerly. The chief value, however, to the Town will be in the fact that possession of the wharf gives the Town an advantage in freight rates over other places which is reflected in the retail price of coal. This in the long run may make the wharf a profitable investment, although the actual receipts may never equal the outlay.
There will be many requests for appropriations at this coming meeting. All have more or less merit. They should be judged carefully from the standpoint of value to the Town as a whole, and there should be the most wide spread information given of all of them in order that voters may act intelligently. No project should be rushed through at this time of financial stringency.
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Labor is largely unemployed, and the outlook locally is not too bright. While undoubtedly conditions will im- prove still expenditures are more easily made than suf- ficient economies can take care of at once.
The State Highway Dept. is starting to rebuild the road from Jabez Corner to Fresh Pond. It is intended to make the passage over the Pine Hills safer by easing the curves and widening in such places as need it. This work will entail an expense on the Town of an amount sufficient to pay the land damage caused by the taking on either side of the present road. Reference to the warrant will show this amount as $6,000. When completed the way to the Cape will be much safer and the danger of bad curves largely eliminated.
In conclusion we wish to express our appreciation of the cooperation of the different departments during the past year. The business of the Town can be much more effectively done if there is no friction between the dif- ferent branches of the Town Officers and this condition has largely obtained this past year.
It is to be hoped that a large number of voters will appear at the Town Meeting and express themselves freely. There can be no fault found with the result if it is the opinion of a large majority of the voters. The people are entitled to have what they want despite the contrary wishes of others. And there can be no criticism if the meeting expresses the wish of a majority of the listed voters.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, FRANK EASTWOOD, WALTER E. BENT, WILLIAM H. BEEVER, HENRY W. BARNES, JR.
Selectmen.
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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 in these Departments during the year 1928.
REMOVAL OF CAR TRACK
In June, 1928, the Plymouth & Brockton Street Rail- way Company discontinued operation of electric cars and left about three and one-half miles of track and ties to be removed.
This necessitated some new construction in the space previously occupied by the car track and an appropria- tion of $20,000.00 was made for same.
A graded mixture of coarse and fine stone mixed with tar and sold by the trade name of "Tarvialithic" was used for this work.
All rails and ties, in the main line, and turnouts were removed from Town Square to Jabez Corner, and from Samoset Street to the Kingston line.
In making up the estimate for the cost of this work it was thought that an average width of 9.0' would be sufficient to replace the old road bed of the car track, but as the work progressed it seemed very desirable to carry the new work over to the west curb nearly the full length. of the work.
All street approaches and driveways were improved and in several places the old road surfaces adjacent to the
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new work was covered with "Tarvialithic", notably on Sandwich Street, at Cornish meadow, and at the inter- section with Sandwich Street and Main Street Extension. Many of the pipes under private driveways were removed and the result has been a vast improvement along Court and Sandwich Streets, making a much wider and safer road than was available before.
The average width of the new work varied from 12.0' to 14.0' and the result was that the total yardage of new work actually built was materially in excess of the esti- mated quantity. As a consequence there were unpaid bills incurred amounting to $8,323.30.
NEW WESTERLY ROAD
At the regular Town Meeting, in March, 1928, an ap- propriation of $35,000.00 was made to cover land damage and grading on the new street laid out by the Town, ex- tending from Town Brook near Deep Water Bridge, northerly, to land of Joseph Malaguti, a distance of ap- proximately 8,000 feet.
The estimated amount of material to be moved was 39,150 cubic yards.
Bids were obtained from three contractors for doing this work and the prices submitted are shown in the table below.
BIDS RECEIVED FOR GRADING NEW WESTERLY ROAD
Price Per Cub. Yd.
Contractor Earth Rock
A. K. Finney (Plymouth) $ .70
. This price to include all rock excavation.
Otis R. Mann (Hanover) .69 $5.00
Joseph Malaguti & Sons
(Plymouth) .62 2.75
Upon receipt of these bids the contract was awarded to Joseph Malaguti & Sons, the lowest bidders.
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The work was begun in July and finished in December and left in a satisfactory condition.
It is of interest to note that the actual number of cubic yards excavated was 36,557 as compared to an estimated quantity of 39,150 cubic yards.
WATER STREET EXTENSION
An appropriation of $10,000.00 was made for resur- facing on Water Street Extension, from Park Avenue to Nelson Street Playground.
About 600' of the old road had been transferred to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company in exchange for their shore rights when the new Town Wharf was built.
It, therefore, became necessary to build about 600' of new road on the land thus acquired.
The material on the site of this stretch of road was clay dredged from the channel.
This material, in the area to be occupied by the new road, was excavated to an average depth of 2.0' below finished grade and then backfilled with coarse gravel and sand after an under strain had been laid. This gravel surface has been thrown open for travel and left to settle during the winter.
With a balance left in the appropriation of about $1,900.00, a crushed stone penetration surface can be laid on this section in 1929.
The remaining piece of road to the Nelson Street Play- ground was resurfaced as a stone penetration job.
LOTHROP STREET, EAST OF RAILROAD
This short piece of road, from the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad to Water Street Extension, was resurfaced at a cost of $772.96.
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LIGHT SURFACING STREETS
The method of light surfacing on side streets that has given apparent satisfaction for the past few years was continued during 1928 and approximately 11,500 sq. yds. of this type of surface was put down on streets previously untreated.
There are several streets on which this work might be extended and I recommend an appropriation of $7,500.00 for the ensuing year to continue this light surfacing work.
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