USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1938 > Part 36
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The total cost for administration for 1940 was $5,675.43, and the Federal Grants to be used for administration were
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$2,109.09, leaving a net cost to the Town of $3,566.34 for administration.
We have requested an appropriation of $82,000.00 for assistance, and $2,120.00 for administration, making a total of $84,120.00 to carry out the estimated expenditures for 1941. This is an increase over last year's appropriation of $7,620.00. Providing no immediate changes are made in the law relative to liberalizing the minimum monthly grants, it is felt by the Bureau that they will be able to meet the expenditures for 1941 if an appropriation of $84,- 120.00 is approved.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD S. DAMON, Chairman A. RODMAN HUSSEY, JR. EDMUND J. PRIESTLEY
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LORING LIBRARY
From the annual report submitted to the Board of Di- rectors of the Plymouth Public Library:
Library circulation for the year was 135,043, a gain of 7,152 over the preceding year. Of the total circulation 92,671 were adult books, 21,388 were juvenile, 20,984 were lent through school deposits.
Of the total of 5,111 registered borrowers 424 were new borrowers.
The library received 49 gift books and purchased 1,389 books. Of the total purchases 447 were non-fiction, 614 fiction and 328 juvenile.
Service and activities have included well attended story hours, vacation reading club, exhibits, and work with reading groups and schools.
LORING LIBRARY
The total circulation of 29,086 was a gain of 1,579 over 1939. Of this total 20,741 adult and 8,345 juvenile books were circulated.
We have registered 342 new borrowers and the total registration is now 1,115.
Of 465 books purchased 312 were adult, 128 juvenile and 25 reference.
The Loring Library has been active and successful with increased circulation of books and an increase in bor- rowers.
CHARLOTTE HASKINS, Librarian
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Park Commissioners submits its report for 1940.
The receipts from the bath house at Beach Park showed a decrease over 1939. Received in 1940 were $323.10 as compared with $492.10 in 1939.
The camping receipts at the Indian Reservation Camp Grounds were $1,143.50 in 1940 and $1,055.07 in 1939, which was an increase over 1939.
The receipts from the Nelson Street Camp Grounds were $1,594.55 in 1940 and in 1939 were $1,527.15.
The bath house at Nelson Street had as receipts for 1940, $5.25.
The bath house at Morton Park had as receipts for 1940, $62.15; for 1939, $65.10.
Stephens Field bath house receipts in 1940 were $29.80 as compared with $37.51 in 1939.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank the Welfare Department in giving many hours of labor and through this co-operation, the department was able to accomplish much work which required attention.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank the Plymouth Cordage Company for their many courtesies, and Steven's The Florist for the many beautiful flowers.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank Mr. Josiah Robbins for his contribution of a flag pole at the Indian Reservation Camp Grounds, and the Town Brook Com- mittee of The Woman's Club for the Herb Garden at Brewster Garden.
Veterans Field attained a greater popularity the past
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year than ever before and a Field Day climaxed a suc- cessful season.
Stephens Field has had its usual popularity the past year and the work done by the WPA, under the super- vision of Mr. Charles Potter on the tennis court the field received much praise.
The usual maintenance has kept all Parks in good condi- tion and with the co-operation of the personnel we have been able to keep within the appropriation.
GEORGE T. FOX JOHN L. SEIVER
Board of Park Commissioners
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The work of your Board of Health the past year has been considerably disrupted due to the resignation of two members, the appointment of two new members, the ap- pointment of a new sanitary inspector and a general at- tempt at a reorganization of the department with the view in mind of reducing the costs of administration and in widening the scope of work being done in safeguarding the public health. Nevertheless, the routine work of the department has been carried on satisfactorially.
The resignation of Rudolph E. Swenson elected in 1939 for three years was received June 29, 1940. At a joint meeting of the board and that of the Board of Selectmen on August 5, 1940, Paul W. Bittinger was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The resignation of Alsop L. Douglas was received on August 20, 1940, and on September 19, 1940, at a joint meeting of the Board of Health and the Board of Select- men, Dr. Medora V. Eastwood was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The new board elected Herbert B. Maxwell, chairman, and Paul W. Bittinger, secretary.
In August, Harold E. Giles was appointed Sanitary In- spector.
Following the appointment of Dr. Eastwood and Mr. Bittinger to the Board, immediate steps were taken to study the work of the department. Numerous conferences were held with the State Department of Public Health and also with the Department of Agriculture, under whom comes the inspection of milk. The State sanitary inspector, the state fish inspector and Dr. Stevens of the Department of Public Health were asked to spend some
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time with our department to show the proper manner of carrying on inspections. It is planned another year to furnish inspection certificates to all places inspected and to keep a copy of such certificates on file in the Board of Health office.
The board members have made personal inspections of bad housing conditions and plan to extend this part of the board of health work. It is realized that although housing conditions in many instances are appalling, great care must be exercised in remedying these conditions and the legal procedure must be carefully followed. Several landlords have cooperated very well with the department and have corrected a number of bad conditions such as open traps, leaking roofs, unsanitary toilets, insufficient toilet accommodations in tenements, etc. The Board is of the opinion that constant attention should be paid to cor- rection of housing conditions and is in hopes that a defi- nite program may be followed in carrying out the work.
The program for conduction clinics for the treatment of venereal disease and the cooperation of the department with the schools in carrying on clinics for diphtheria im- munization, has been given careful attention.
This year the number of scarlet fever cases was once more far above the number to be expected in a commun- ity the size of Plymouth. Every effort to trace the origin of these scarlet fever cases has thus far met with no tan- gible evidence although it is the opinion of the Board that diseased tonsils may be in part responsible, and an effort is now being made to have parents attend to the removal of diseased tonsils in their children. It is also planned to carry out the Dick test for scarlet fever on all children in the schools. The department will furnish the serum and the department will then have a complete record of all Plymouth children and as to whether or not any child shows susceptibility to the disease. This program of checking all children plus the gradual education of parents to the value of scarlet fever immunization for their chil- dren should in time practically eliminate scarlet fever from the town. Diphtheria immunizations have already
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shown their effectiveness, not a single case having been reported in Plymouth for many years. It is hoped that in the future this will also be true of scarlet fever.
Your board brought one violation of the slaughtering regulations into court, this being a case of a person having uninspected pork in his possession with intent to sell. The Board recommended to the court that the case be placed on file. The proper inspection of all foods is a vital part of the department's work, and every care is being exer- cised in enforcing the health regulations, periodic inspec- tions being made and recommendations for changes being carefully followed up.
It was necessary late in the year to ask the Finance Committee for money with which to purchase tires for the garbage truck-the truck being stranded on the high- way without a tire with which to operate and the condi- tion of all tires being in a condition to make them unsafe to use.
In the 1941 budget provision has been made to provide a new truck chassis. The present body is considered use- ful for several more years. The present chassis is more than eight years old and badly worn. It is estimated that the cost of repairing the present chassis would not be war- ranted, and that a new chasis would be more economical for the town.
Your board has also spent a great deal of time study- ing the collection and disposal of garbage and believes that substantial savings to the town can be made without reducing the number of men employed or the wages paid to the employees. Garbage collection systems in other towns have been studied and inquiry made as to the rev- enue received for the garbage collected.
Mr. Cadman, who operates the piggery at the county farm desires to establish himself in a place of his own. To meet the situation, the Board has had several conferences with the Plymouth County Commissioners and has se- cured from them a letter stating their willingness to re- lease the town from hiring the piggery at $500 a year. The
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lease has two more years to run but will be cancelled if and when the present piggery is no longer used by the town.
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The matter of a new dump has also been given con- sideration and several conferences had with the Plym- outh County Commissioners for the lease of a piece of county property off South Pond road. A bill was introduced into the legislature permitting the county to lease this land to the town for fifty years at a rental of one dollar a year. Under this length of lease it is be- lieved possible to sponsor a WPA project for the running of water pipe to the new proposed dump without much expense to the town. The new dump would solve the dump problem for an indefinite period of time.
A study is now under way of the milk inspection work and of the plumbing inspection. It is hoped to report soon to the town that with a revision of the manner of handling these two subjects upwards of $1,500 can be saved the town.
Other reorganization plans are being considered for further reduction in the expense of running the depart- ment.
The work and responsibilities of the Board of Health are innumerable if properly and thoroughly done. A thorough knowledge of the hundreds of laws governing the work of the board is essential and the extent of what can be done in safe-guarding the public health and in making a more healthful community is limited only by the work and thought that the board members care to put into the department.
We wish once more to remind the citizens of the town of Plymouth that the Board of Health is your department, working for your interests and ready at all times to re- spond to the call of any citizen on matters concerning the public health.
Respectfully submitted,
M. V. EASTWOOD, M. D. PAUL W. BITTINGER HERBERT MAXWELL
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I am again able to report that the high degree of effi- ciency is still being maintained, as shown by the records of the Department.
While the number of alarms is altogether too frequent, 1940 showed a slight reduction from 1939, being 377 against 404 for 1939-a decrease of 27.
The assessed value of buildings, and contents involved, was $856,191.00; the loss $63,090.84. Based on 13,000 in- habitants, this shows a loss of $4.85 per person but 7.3% loss of property involved.
PERSONAL
The Department has lost one member by retirement, namely; James H. Farris. The vacancy was filled by ap- pointment of Romeo W. Carletti, from Certified Civil Service List.
Regular out-door drills have been held during the summer months, in-door classes the balance of the year.
BUILDINGS
The repairs to brick work mentioned in report of 1939 have been made on North Station and partially completed on Central Station. While it seems inexpedient to pro- ceed with approved WPA project to increase the toilet facilities and fire-proof fire alarm room (also clothes dry- ing room), I respectfully request that your Honorable Board endeavor to devise some other means of securing the much needed improvements.
FIRE ALARM AND RADIO
The' outside lines are in good condition but should positively be extended south from Cliff Street to the junc-
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tion of Warren Avenue and State Highway. The fore- going mentioned district contains buildings of very great value.
The repeater and switchboard were overhauled during 1940 but due to age and obsolescence they require one overhauling job after another and in the line of economy should be replaced.
The radio communication is still being further de- veloped and proving indispensable. Also, beyond ques- tion of doubt, it is going to be extensively used in Na- tional Defense and it is my intention to continue to im- prove what has already proven very valuable both in forest and building fires; and, as previously mentioned, will be an important factor in National Defense.
APPARATUS
The action of the Town Meeting was extremely grati- fying in making possible the purchase of an Aerial Service Ladder Truck. After long and exhaustive investigation, a contract was made with the Seagrave Corporation on April 15th, 1940. The truck was delivered August 26th and placed in service September 17th.
There has been no exception amongst the many who have closely examined it and seen it in action-Commis- sioners, Engineers, Chiefs and civilians, both in Plymouth and from many other towns and cities-to the statement that it is the last word in both design and equipment.
A start finally having been made to repeated recom- mendations that a progressive replacement be made of apparatus purchased in 1916, I earnestly request and hope that you will give your support to an article calling for the appropriation of $6,500.00 to be used for the purchase of a pump to replace one of the pumps purchased in 1916.
HENRY WALTON,
Fire Commissioner
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ORGANIZATION
Fire Commissioner, Henry Walton; Chief, Everett B. Wood; Deputy Chief, Clifton Hatton; Fire Department Surgeon, Dr. William E. Curtin; 4 Captains; 3 Lieutenants; 16 Permanent men; and 35 Call men.
REPORT OF FIRES AND CALLS
Box alarms 108
Still alarms 246
Radio
23
Total
377
REPORT OF FIRE DUTY FOR 1940
Traveled 2,819.2 miles; pumper used 356 times; False alarms, 9; rescue boat, 3; E. & J. Resuscitator, 7; feet hose used, 28,450 of 21/2 inch; 6,675 feet of 11/2 inch; 31,480 feet of booster hose; water from booster tanks, 21,749 gallons; feet of ladders used, 4,692; 611 gallons of chemical.
OUT OF TOWN CALLS
Falmouth, 1; Duxbury, 2.
Assessed value of buildings
$498,466.00
Value of contents 357,725.00
$856,191.00
Insurance on buildings
$458,831.00
Insurance on contents
384,745.00
$843,576.00
Loss on buildings
$ 48,422,16
Loss on contents
14,668.68
$ 63,090.84
Insurance paid-Buildings
$ 43,261.16
Insurance paid-Contents
11,784.92
$ 55,046.08
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REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1940
VINE HILL CEMETERY ADDITION
In the Cemetery Commissioners' report of 1939, we rec- ommended the purchase of a six acre lot, owned by Domero Cortelli et als., adjacent to Vine Hill Cemetery, and bounded by Samoset St., also by land of Doyle and Blenn, and Saint Joseph's Cemetery. The purchase price was to be $2,500.00 and we suggested $500.00 be added for some improvement of the lot.
At the regular Town Meeting in March, 1940, the Town authorized this proposed purchase and improvement, to be paid for from a special fund that has been created by keeping the proceeds from the sale of lots and graves in a separate account.
The deed was passed September 18, 1940 and the Town became the owner of this six acre addition.
An accurate contour map has been drawn of this area and calculations made to determine the yardage to be moved in order to establish a satisfactory finished grade on this lot.
It appears that this grading project would make an ad- mirable one for WPA and we propose to write this up as such in the spring of 1941.
BURIAL HILL
Every effort has been made during the year to maintain Burial Hill in such satisfactory shape that it would present at all times a pleasing appearance to the large number of visitors who make a pilgrimage here.
Last year the Town appropriated $200.00 to continue the work of encasing in granite some selected stones. A bal- ance of $118.25 was left over from an earlier appropriation
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for similar work. We, therefore, were able to have the four following stones encased during 1940, VIZ:
Capt. Simeon Samson June 22, 1789
Nathaniel Faunce
Aug. 29, 1732
Joseph Bradford
July 10, 1715
Nathaniel Bradford
Mar. 27, 1751
Two of the above were covered by James A. White Co., and two by John Pascoe, the total cost being $315.00.
We recommend an appropriation of $300.00 to continue this work in 1941.
Sections of the landing at the foot of the steps leading to Burial Hill had been cracked and settled for some time and it became necessary to replace this old landing with a new one. Malaguti & Sons did this work at a cost of $70.00.
HARD SURFACING DRIVEWAYS
It seems desirable to the Commissioners to continue the hard surfacing of driveways in Vine Hills and Oak Grove Cemeteries in 1941. This work has been carried on inter- mittently for several years and has resulted in a greatly improved road surface and a resulting decrease in roadway maintenance cost.
It is our understanding that the Town may appropriate from the fund previously referred to (set up from proceeds from sale of lots) money to be used for care, embellish- ment and improvement of the cemeteries. This fund now amounts to $4,289.15 and we recommend that $750.00 be used from this fund for hard surfacing roads, and we will prepare an article to this effect to be inserted in the Town Warrant.
CHILTONVILLE, CEDARVILLE, MANOMET AND SOUTH POND CEMETERIES
The Commissioners record with keen regret the death of Mr. Alberto M. Haskell, on May 12 of 1940, who for many years gave interested and faithful supervision to work at
1
.
1
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the Cedarville Cemetery and we feel we were fortunate in persuading his son, Mr. Chester Haskell, to take over this work.
Routine maintenance work has been carried on in all the outlying cemeteries.
The annual appropriation of $800.00 to be used in the four cemeteries permits nothing more than this.
BUDGET
For the year 1941, we recommend the following appro- priations:
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries
$10,000.00
Burial Hill
1,500.00
Outlying Cemeteries
800.00
Hard Surfacing O. G. & V. H. (from Special Fund)
750.00
Protecting Old Stones 300.00
$13,350.00
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Chairman
EDWARD R. BELCHER
RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE
Board of Cemetery Commissioners
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DEPARTMENT FOR THE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is a report of building activities for the year ending December 31, 1940.
No.
Kind Est. Cost
15 Dwellings
$62,700
26 Summer Camps 12,250
19 Garages
6,700
11 Other Buildings
56,500
29 Additions and Alterations to Dwellings 42,250
19 Additions and Alterations to Other Buildings 32,700
119
$213,100
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS A. BODELL,
Inspector of Buildings
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REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
In compliance with Chapter 98, Section 34, General Laws, Mass., I herewith submit a report for the year 1940 as Sealer of Weights and Measures, period from January 1st to December 31st, 1940:
Total Number of Measuring and Weighing Devices:
Tested
2,500
Adjusted 159
Sealed
2,290
Not Sealed
91
Condemned 159
Total amount of Sealing Fees Collected $358.95
Total amount of Adjusting Charges
Collected 29.30
Total Revenue $388.25
Total Inspections which permit no Fees:
1/4 bbl. Cranberry Boxes 29,000
1/8 bbl. Cranberry Boxes 5,000
All Other 668
Total Tests made which permit no Fees 65
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Commodities, put up for sale:
Total number tested
479
Correct
67
Under 158
Over 254
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN, Sealer
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REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
January 20, 1941
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The required amount of alewives were stocked, in the headwaters of Town Brook, 15,000; Eel River, 15,000; White Horse Beach, 5,000.
The harbor is badly in need of dredging, especially around the Town Wharf. Draggers are not able to get to the wharf to unload fish. Large yachts are unable to get gasoline and supplies at the Town Wharf due to there being insufficient water except at high tide. Therefore I recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $5,000 for dredging around Town Wharf.
Due to limited mooring space there are no mooring sites available at the present time in the yacht basin. I have on hand at the present time a number of applica- tions for mooring sites which I am unable to fulfill. The outside edge of the yacht basin leading to the Yacht Club wharf has filled in three or four feet.
Number of yachts in and out of Plymouth Harbor in 1940: 5,500.
Fishing Boats
4,420
Motor Boats 2,760
Freighters and Lighters
48
Total
12,728
Dories reported missing
18
Missing dories recovered
15
Fees taken at Town Wharf for unloading fish and rent of space for net reels, $133.50.
Total pounds of fish unloaded in Plymouth during 1940, 2,468,000 pounds.
Very truly yours, ELMER BOUTIN,
Harbor Master.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INLAND FISHERIES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The appropriation for 1940 of three hundred dollars was expended for yellow perch. We believe that the growth of the perch in our ponds has been stunted by the close interbreeding of our old seed fish and that, with this influx of new blood, they will develop properly.
The Committee requests that a like amount be appro- priated this year to carry on this work.
Respectfully submitted,
W. S. GALE M. D. WELSH FRANK L. BAILEY
GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH ACCOUNT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the past year, the various lines of work have been carried on as usual, with very good results. No dam- age to any great extent was done by Gypsy or Brown- tail moths. More spraying was done than in previous years, and proved very effective. The outlook for 1941 is very satisfactory.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBOTT A. RAYMOND,
Moth Supt.
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REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Dear Sirs:
May I submit my report ending December 31, 1940. Immediately upon receiving my appointment I reorgan- ized the Forest Warden's Department in personnel and also redistricted Plymouth dividing it into 25 districts.
A private owned truck was put into commission at Cedarville and equipped with a 220 gallon booster tank outfit.
During the past year our Department responded to 71 calls, burning over an area of only 55 acres, including grass lands, adjacent to woods. .
Our equipment is in good shape mechanically but our equipment is still very short in being up to date.
Along with my budget for the year 1941 is another letter explaining the various needs, etc.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. WESTON,
Forest Fire Warden.
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TREE WARDEN ACCOUNT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During 1940, all street trees were sprayed for Elm Beetle and other insects, and were kept in good shape through the summer. The cleaning up of hurricane damage was completed, and at present our street trees are in very good condition. The supply of trees in the Town Nursery, that were large enough to plant on the street, is exhausted, and it will be necessary to buy a few trees to plant on some of the new streets and to fill in on the old streets during the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBOTT A. RAYMOND,
Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The usual amount of work has been done in the Town Forest; fire lines ploughed, trimming, weeding and all other necessary work, as far as money allowed. No fires occurred in the Town Forest during 1940, but from our look-out several fires were reported, which were quickly extinguished by our efficient fire department. It was the intention of the Committee to finish all planting of trees during 1940, but we were unable to get trees, so turned the money back to the Town, with the expectation of getting money to complete the planting in 1941.
Mr. B. F. Raymond, who has served as superintendent of the Forest, tendered his resignation to the Committee, to take effect December 31st.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBOTT A. RAYMOND,
Chairman ARTHUR W. WESTON, FRANK C. THOMAS, Town Forest Committee.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
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