USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1936 > Part 19
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Article 6. To take such action as the Town shall see fit in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $8,850.00 including the Dog Tax for 1936 amounting to $1,779.12
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $750.00.
Article 8. To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture and to choose a Town Director, as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Re- vised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $100.00 and the choosing of a Town Director.
.
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Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the purpose of maintaining, during the ensuing year, the mosquito control works as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 112 of the Acts of 1931.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and seventy-five (175) dollars for Rifle Range Expenses.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $175.00.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding four hundred (400) dollars for the Observ- ance of Memorial Day.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $400.00.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty (250) dollars for the Observance of Armistice Day.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $250.00.
Article 13. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty (150) dollars, to be ex- pended by the Selectmen for two public bonfires in cele- bration of Independence Day, and for such other pur- poses connected with the proper observance of In- dependence Day as they may deem wise. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $50.00.
Article 14. To see if the Town will appropriate the
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sum of seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars for the Ob- servance of July Fourth, said money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 15. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars to employ a Dis- trict Nurse.
The Committee believes the services performed by the District Nurse to be very commendable and necessary, and that greater service can be rendered with the larger appropriation. We therefore recommend the increase from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 for this service.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to extend the Town Forest by purchase of adjacent woodland and ap- propriate for that purpose a sum not exceeding two hun- dred (200) dollars, as recommended by the Town Forest Committee.
This request was before the Town last year in a similar article. The Committee sees no immediate necessity and does not recommend the appropriation.
Article 17. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eighteen hundred (1,800) dollars for the cultivation, propagation and protection of shellfish, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
We are informed that more efficient policing and pro- tection can be given to the shellfish industry by additional supervision. We approve, therefore, of the increase asked for this service over last year and recommend the appropriation of $1,800.
Article 18. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding six hundred (600) dollars for compensa- tion and expenses of the Dog Officer required by Chapter 320 of the Acts of 1934.
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The Committee recommends the appropriation of $600.00.
Article 19. To see what action the Town will take with reference to the salaries of the officers of the Town.
We recommend the restoration of 50% of the salary cut to those officers whose salaries were reduced by vote of the Town on March 26, 1932, namely Town Treasurer, Assessors, and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to elect a Moderator annually on the official ballot as provided in section 14 of Chapter 39 of the General Laws.
In the opinion of your Committee, the requirements of the Moderator are so exacting and essential to the proper conduct of town meetings that a better selection of can- didates for that office can be obtained after careful thought and consideration, as at present, than by election on the official ballot.
We recommend that the Town take no action under this Article.
Article 21. To see if the Town will establish a Plan- ning Board under the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 81A, of the General Laws (Chapter 211 of the Acts of 1936), and will fix the membership and terms of office thereof, and will determine the method of election of members, and will vest the powers and duties of the Park Commissioners in said Planning Board so established.
(By Petition.)
The law does not require the Town to accept this Act. We are not convinced that the additional powers and duties granted the Planning Board under this Act will result in any saving in cost or increase in efficiency. If the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 81A are adopted by the Town, greater responsibilities are placed on the Plan- ning Board and certain powers are granted them relative
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to zoning to which the Town has previously indicated it was opposed.
The Committee is opposed to the acceptance of this Act and to the consolidation of the Planning Board with the Park Department, and recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vest the powers and duties of the Park Commissioners in the Planning Board. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion.
Article 23. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding fourteen thousand five hundred (14,500) dollars for the purchase of a ladder truck.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $14,500.00 for the purchase of a ladder truck.
Article 24. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eighteen hundred (1,800) dollars for the purchase of a new grader for the Highway Department.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,800.00 for the purchase of a new grader.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two thousand (2,000) dollars for Hard- Surfacing on the Old Sandwich Road.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,000.00.
Article 26. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding forty-two hundred (4,200) dollars for im- provement of River Street, including Hard-Surfacing.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,500.00.
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Article 27. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars to be used in construction on the Federal Furnace Road to Carver, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,500.00 to be used, with the balance of the Town's ap- propriation of previous years, in construction on the Federal Furnace Road to Carver, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners. This is a continuation of work done on this road in the last two years and will com- plete it.
Article 28. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirteen hundred and fifty (1,350) dollars for a new fence around the South Street Playground.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,300.00.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote that the Play- ground on Summer Street at Newfields Street be called Holmes Playground.
The committee recommends that this playground be called the Samuel W. Holmes Playground in honor of the last surviving member of Collingwood Post No. 76 Grand Army of the Republic.
Article 30. To see what action the Town will take re- garding the insuring of Town property.
No insurance is now carried on town buildings except the Memorial Building and the Junior and Senior High School. The yearly premium on these two buildings now amounts to $2,745.00. Complete coverage by insurance of forty buildings and contents owned by the Town may be secured for not more than $5,200.00 a year. Your Com-
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mittee believes it to be good business judgment to thor- oughly insure all town buildings and property.
We recommend favorable action.
Article 31. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifty-two hundred (5,200) dollars to pay the premiums on insurance policies if authorized to be taken out under the preceding Article 30.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of the sum of $4,300.00 and that a transfer of the sum of $900.00 be authorized to be made from the appropriation for Town Hall Maintenance where provision is made for payment of this year's premium on that building and contents.
Article 32. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Health to lease, at a rental of fifty (50) dollars per annum, and upon such other terms and conditions as they shall determine, a parcel of land on the southerly side of Samoset Street for the purpose of a town dump, the term of said lease not to exceed ten (10) years.
It seems to the Committee that the location of a dump on a main travelled highway near the center of the town is unnecessary and unwise. Ample and suitable space is available elsewhere for this purpose.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 33. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Stafford Street, from the present end of the laid out way on Stafford Street, southwesterly, to land of Jennie E. Chandler, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation not ex- ceeding one hundred (100) dollars for land or property damages and expenses of acquiring titles. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action and ap- propriation of $100.00.
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Article 34. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Birch Avenue from Stafford Street, north- westerly, to Newfields Street, as laid out by the Select- men and reported to the Town, and make an appropria- tion not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars for land or property damages and expenses of acquiring titles.
(By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action and ap- propriation of $100.00.
Article 35. To see if the Town will acquire by pur- chase for school purposes, the land known as the Grace A. Pope property lying on the southwesterly side of Union Street and adjoining other land of the Town of Plym- outh, and make an appropriation not exceeding four thousand five hundred (4,500) dollars therefor.
To lay out the Pope property suitable for the purpose intended by the School Department will require the ex- penditure of an additional sum of money for labor and fill. Since no funds are now available for this purpose, the School Committee concur with the recommendation of the Advisory and Finance Committee that the pur- chase of this property be deferred at this time.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 36. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to install a central heating plant and to revise the heating system in the Cornish and Burton Schools and raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding sixteen thousand (16,000) dollars for said purpose.
The heating plants at the Cornish and Burton Schools are forty years old and will require some alterations or renewal in the future. We believe a new installation and the expenditure of $16,000.00 might be deferred until some future time.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
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Article 37. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature for an Act to es- tablish in the Town of Plymouth, a form of Representa- tive Town Government by limited town meetings. (By request of the Committee on Representative Town Gov- ernment) .
The Committee makes no recommendation under this Article as it has been referred to a Special Committee ap- pointed for that purpose.
Article 38. To see if the Town will elect a committee of five to study the advisability of employing a Town Manager, and report at the next annual town meeting. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends that an investigation be made by the Town of the advantages and disadvantages of a Town Manager plan.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and Acts amendatory thereto, providing for plac- ing the Chief of Police under Civil Service.
(By petition.)
The Committee at a previous town meeting after care- ful consideration recommended placing the Police Chief under Civil Service. We still believe favorable action on this Article to be for the best interest of the Town, and that it will result in better efficiency in the Police Depart- ment.
We recommend that the Town accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and Acts amendatory thereto, thereby placing the Chief of Police under Civil Service.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 31 Section 47, there- by placing under Civil Service all of the employees of the Town of Plymouth. (By Petition.)
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The Committee is unanimously opposed to placing all town employees on Civil Service. We believe it to be un- necessary, expensive and unwise. We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 41. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the observance and celebration of Old Home Day, on September 6, 1937.
(By Petition.)
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 42. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding five hundred (500) dollars for the purpose of having public out-door band concerts, said money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 43. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eleven hundred (1,100) dollars to be ex- pended under the direction of the Selectmen, under Sec- tion 6-A, Chapter 40 of the General Laws, for the purpose of advertising its resources, advantages and attractions.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,100.00, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, if and when an equal amount shall have been raised by public subscription, or by donation, and paid into the Town Treasury on or before July 1, 1937, to be expended for like purposes.
Article 44. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding nine thousand (9,000) dollars for changes at the Pumping Station as requested by the Water Com- missioners.
The present pumping equipment is very old and should be replaced. If a serious breakdown should now occur it might seriously affect our water supply. A fuel saving of
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about $2,000.00 a year would result from the installation of the new equipment. We recommend the appropriation of $9,000.00.
Article 45. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Cherry Street from the end of the 1912 layout, in a southwesterly direction, to Nick's Rock Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation not exceeding one hundred and fifty (150) dollars for land or property damages and expense of acquiring titles. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action and ap- propriation of $150.00.
Article 46. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Savery Avenue, from the present laid out way on Savery Avenue, westerly to land of Charles L. Savery, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation not exceeding one hun- dred (100) dollars for land or property damages and ex- pense of acquiring titles. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Law relating to quorum at town meetings, by substi- tuting the word "two" for the word "four," so that the By-Law shall read as follows :-
The number of voters necessary to constitute a quor- um at town meetings shall be two hundred provided that a number less than a quorum may from time to time ad- journ the same. This By-Law shall not apply to such parts of meetings as are devoted exclusively to the elec- tion of officers.
The voters have expressed themselves on previous oc- casions as opposed to special town meetings, especially where appropriations of large sums were made by rela-
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tively few voters. We do not believe the continuation of a 400 quorum would seriously affect the conduct of town affairs. We recommend continuance of the By-Law as at present.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 48. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twelve hundred (1,200) dollars for reconstruction and improvement of the traffic light system.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion under this Article, since we are not convinced that such expenditure is necessary. We believe a small sum expended will place the traffic system in good condition.
Article 49. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirty-six hundred (3,600) dollars to a Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Com- mittee, and will authorize the transfer of fourteen hun- dred (1,400) dollars from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to said Reserve Account.
Annually since 1924 a transfer has been authorized of $5,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee, to be used for extraordinary and un- foreseen expenditures. It so happens that there is now available for such transfer only $1,400.00. The Commit- tee recommends the transfer of this sum only and no ap- propriation from the the tax levy.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
Ralph L. Drew, Chairman, Joseph S. Contente, Frank A. Mitchell, Warren P. Strong, John F. Taylor, William Anderson, William H. Borghesani, George V. Buttner, Russell W. Harlow, Charles Mackinnon, Daniel W. Besse, John D. Brewer, Alton D. Edes, Thomas S. Fog- arty, George LeRoy Paty.
Attested: Elmer R. Harlow, Secretary.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
1620.
MOL
TTS
For the Year Ending December 31, 1937
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Selectmen might very well make a lengthy report, but we feel that you are all well acquainted with condi- tions. The Board has continued its policy of keeping down expenses, especially bond issues, and we are pleased to report that no department has requested an appropria- tion that will require bond issues.
In the early months of 1937 the condition of the un- employed showed a vast improvement, but we are sorry to report that a serious change took place in the latter part of November, which brought us back to the condi- tions that prevailed in 1930-32, and necessitated over- drafts in several departments. In spite of this serious change, we do not anticipate a large increase in the tax rate, but in order to continue the business of the town properly, it would seem that a slight increase was justi- fied.
The financial condition of the town is one that we should all be proud of, but it is still necessary for all de- partments to proceed with caution when asking for their appropriations.
The assistance given by the Federal Government un- der the W. P. A. should be appreciated by everyone. The monetary value of this would be a very simple matter to determine, but is is our opinion that the moral value is far beyond that of financial.
The Highway Department has received more than or- dinary attention from the Board because of the enormous amount of work being done not only by the town but by the Federal Government under the various W. P. A. projects. The public demand for better streets and side- walks increases every year. The work of hard-surfacing
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the Federal Furnace Road will be continued and the Se- lectmen have again asked the County and State govern- ments to contribute so that this valuable work may be carried on. The State has agreed to spend $5,000, Plym- outh County $2,500, if the Town of Plymouth appro- priates $2,500. We strongly recommend that the town appropriate sufficient funds to continue this work. In our 1936 report we advised you that a new road had been built, connecting the White Horse Beach section with Manomet, and that the Water Department had laid some 3,500 feet of pipe. The State and County governments have agreed to appropriate funds in assisting the town to hard-surface this road and an article will be found in the Warrant asking for an appropriation to do our part. We hope that you will give this serious consideration so that this good work may be continued.
The usual number of petitions for the laying out of streets for presentation to the town have been received. All of them have not met with the approval of the Se- lectmen and will not be presented at this meeting as it was impossible to make all the layouts.
Very few complaints have been received regarding the sewerage system, and a large extension was made to the same on Billington Street. It is very doubtful if the town would have appropriated sufficient funds to do this work, but with the aid of the Federal Government, we believe it was a splendid project to undertake.
The Selectmen have attended the usual amount of conferences and hearings with the departments of State and County governments, and we believe a great bene- fit is derived from these contacts. The most important hearings that have been held with the state officials are those concerning the Middleboro road. While we are not in a position to report what was accomplished, we are satisfied that we are getting nearer to our goal.
We are glad to report that very few complaints have been registered with the Board regarding the liquor
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question, and in every instance they were minor ones. Inspections of the various places have been made from time to time, and all were found to be in good order. The revenue to the town from this source was $16,266.00.
The Police Department business has been conducted in the usual efficient manner with the traffic regulations still a very important part of its activities. The reports of the department have been submitted to the Board each month, and are on file in their office.
It is also gratifying to report the receipt of official notice from the Board of Engineers at Washington, D. C., that a favorable report has been made on the survey for the improvement of Plymouth Harbor for an anchor- age basin on the southeasterly side of the main channel, adjacent to Long Beach. This basin is to be dug 18 feet deep at mean low water for an area of about 42 acres. The estimated cost is $285,000. However, one-third of this must be provided by the State or other interest. Immed- iate steps will be taken to obtain authority for the co- operation required.
A great deal of time and study was given to the clam and fish business, and we feel the Town is being well repaid for our efforts. During the year 1937, 15,000 bushels of clams were dug for commercial purposes, giving a great many men an opportunity to earn their own livelihood, and in addition a revenue to the town of $913.90. We believe that this amount can and should be doubled when proper supervision has been brought about. Supplementary to the above, 1,865 bushels of seed clams were dug by the State to be transplanted in other areas in Massachusetts. Permission was received from the Department of Conservation for the taking of such shell- fish from the contaminated area, to be transplanted on flats in the harbor. 911 bushels were dug and trans- planted by men furnished by the Welfare Department at no cost to the town. All this work was done under the direction of our Supervisors of Shores and Flats.
The fish business is directly lined up with the Town
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Wharf, and we felt that some benefit should be received by the town to help defray the expenses of maintaining that part of the Wharf that is used exclusively for this purpose. Therefore, a fee of .02 a keg for the landing of fish was imposed, bringing a further revenue of $405.85. In our opinion, this does not impose a hardship on the people who earn their living in this way, as the same fee is charged at the State Wharf, and we are reliably in- formed that the charges at Provincetown and other places are a great deal higher.
The report of the Forest Fire Warden will be found on another page, but the seriousness of the large woods fire that took place in May which brought about the loss of two lives was of such a serious nature that we deem it of enough importance to mention in our report. Letters of sympathy and commendation were directed to the im- mediate families of both men who gave their lives, and we should all realize that it is because we have such men as they were that not only our property is at all times well protected but also our lives.
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