USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1941 > Part 23
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The assessed value of buildings and contents involved was $275,385.00; the loss being $29,271.00, based on 13,000 inhabitants, shows a loss of about $.21 and about 10.8% loss of property involved.
BUILDINGS
The three stations now in use, namely Central, North, South, are in good condition with the exception of toilet facilities, clothes drying room and fire proof alarm room as stated in previous reports.
FIRE ALARM AND RADIO
The outside lines are in good condition but should be extended south from Cliff St. to junction of Warren Ave. and State Highway. The radio continues to be of great value and it is the intention to continue to develop it as soon as material becomes available.
APPARATUS
The Combination Pumping Engine to replace the one purchased in 1916, the money for which was appropri- ated at the Annual Meeting of 1942, the contract for which was signed in April 1942, is still to be delivered. During the year we have been able to purchase three 11/2 Ton
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Ford Trucks, two of which were used to replace obsolete Dodge Trucks, the other being made into a hose wagon carrying 1200 feet 21/2-inch hose and 600 feet 11/2-inch hose and portable unit.
REPAIR DEPARTMENT
We feel very proud of this department, the tools for which we have secured without much cost, and with the addition of mechanic, have proved of immense value and made it possible to secure above mentioned outfits as the work was all done within the department.
ORGANIZATION
Fire Commissioner, Henry Walton; Fire Chief, Everett B. Wood; Deputy Chief, Clifton B. Hatton; Fire Depart- ment Surgeon, Dr. William E. Curtin; 3 Permanent Cap- tains; 1 Call Captain; 3 Call Lieutenants; 13 Permanent men and 35 Call men.
REPORT OF FIRES AND CALLS
Box Alarms ..... 142
Still Alarms
225
Radio
6
373
REPORT OF FIRE DUTY
Miles traveled-2,579.2; False Alarms-9; Rescue Boat -5; E. & J. Resuscitator-7; Feet of hose laid-19,950 feet of 21/2-inch, 6,330 feet of 11/2-inch, 43,985 feet of 3/4-inch; Water from booster tanks-28,780 gallons; 2,479 gallons of chemical; 2,172 feet of ladder used.
OUT OF TOWN CALLS
Kingston
2 Duxbury
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Assessed value of buildings Value of contents
$198,185.00 77,200.00
$275,385.00
Insurance on buildings
$184,700.00
Insurance on contents
60,000.00
$244,700.00
Loss on buildings
$19,064.00
Loss on contents
10,207.00
$29,271.00
Insurance paid on buildings
$16,534.00
Insurance paid on contents
6,467.00
$23,001.00
HENRY WALTON, Fire Commissioner.
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REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN 1942
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit report for year ending Dec. 31, 1942, the 1941 organization was continued intact.
APPARATUS
Brockway Truck, located South Street.
Chiltonville Truck, located Sandwich Rd.
Dodge Truck with portable unit, located Ellesville.
Portable unit, located Fresh Pond.
Portable unit, located Indian Brook.
Portable unit, located Manomet Bog.
Portable unit, located Street Dept., Billing Street.
FIRES
The number of fires 24, 18 acres were burned over, 19,800 feet of hose laid, 5,630 gallons of water pumped, 50 gallons of chemical and the miles traveled 407.6, which upon analysis shows average acreage per fire as 71/2.
BUDGET
Of the 1942 appropriations, we have the following bal- ance:
Salaries $2,257.00
Fire Payroll 1,637.79
Equip. and Maintenance
6.63
$3,901.42
SUMMARY
The Department of Conservation of the Commonwealth have erected the watch tower on the Pine Hills, and certainly improves the quick location of fires in our dis- trict.
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The season of 1942 was very favorable for fire condi- tions and no patrols were used. During the year we have been able to secure at a very slight expense, three Ford Roadsters which have been converted into patrol machines, each being equipped with a portable unit, also a Dodge which is located at Ellesville and is also equipped with a portable unit.
While the department has a very substantial balance for the year 1942, I recommend that the same amount be appropriated as last year.
HENRY WALTON, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Release cutting and pruning was carried out on six acres of red pine and four acres of white pine About ten cords of wood were delivered to the Welfare Dept. from this cutting.
The fire tower was maintained for three months during fire season. No fires occured in the Forest, three were reported outside of the Forest. The usual maintenance work was carried on, and all fire guards were mowed and ploughed. One half mile of new fire line was ploughed at Little South Pond.
The Forest is completely planted with about 200,000 seedlings, mostly red and white pine. Release cutting should be carried out as much as possible in 1943.
Respectfully submitted, ABBOTT A. RAYMOND, Chairman, FRANK THOMAS,
ARTHUR W. WESTON,
Town Forest Committee.
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
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To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Following are the reports and activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1942.
Number of arrests for the year 1942:
Males
438
Females 28
Total 466
Amount of Fines Imposed
$3,029.00
Property Recovered
2,305.28
MISCELLANEOUS WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT
Complaints Investigated
1,209
Automobile Accidents Investigated:
Fatal
0
Pedestrian (fatal)
0
Injuries
18
Pedestrian Injuries
19
Property Damage
61
Bicycle
2
Prisoners detained for other departments
54
Summonses served for other departments
44
Summonses (no-fix) issued
406
Trips guarding mail
68
False bank alarms
ยท
8
Street Lights Reported out
18
Store Lights Reported out
10
:
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Doors Found unlocked Beacon Lights Reported Out Night Lodgers Accidental Shootings Drownings Fatal Burning
19
5
6
1
1
1
MILEAGE OF DEPARTMENT
Total Mileage 78,525
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL P. DEARBORN, Chief of Police.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF RETIREMENT
February 26, 1943
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Board of Retirement presents herewith its sixth report, covering the activities and condition of the Con- tributory Retirement System for the year 1942.
The only new law relating to municipal retirement systems passed since our last annual report is Chap. 16 of the Acts of the special session of the General Court in 1942. It allows the temporary re-employment of retired employees during the continuance of the war, with the written approval of the Board of Selectmen, and also of the Director of Civil Service, if such employment is under Civil Service regulation. A person so re-employed to re- ceive full pay less the retirement allowance received by him.
Considerable changes have been proposed at the meet- ings of the Association of Retirement Boards. Some of these may become laws during the present year.
The appropriations made by the Town for the Retire- ment System since its inauguration, July 1, 1937, have been as follows :-
Transfer from Reserve Account
1937 $600.00
Town Meeting Appropriation
1938
11,400.00
1939
8,501.75
1940
13,843.70
1941
15,962.32
1942
18,290.00
The appropriation for 1943 will exceed that of 1942 by $2,200.00.
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Members' contributions, deducted from wages, have been:
1937
$2,048.26 (6 months)
1938
5,279.16
1939
5,871.76
1940
7,036.68
1941
7,464.60
1942
8,801.70
Retirement allowances paid, consisting of pensions, an- nuities and death benefits:
1937
$151.25
1938
4,749.19
1939
9,518.79
1940
14,045.16
1941
15,638.01
1942
16,277.62
Notwithstanding the present wartime conditions, we again repeat the advice given in our 1940 and 1941 reports that an important point to be borne in mind is that every department should maintain some check on the physical condition of the men working for the Town, and care should be taken that men physically unfit should not be subjected to heavy physical exertion. Failure to observe this precaution may place a liability on the Retirement System to pay out large sums in death benefits, over a long term of years. It should be remembered that, while most of the ordinary retirement pensions are paid to persons over seventy years of age, accidental death and occupational hazard benefits may accrue to much younger persons and the cost to the Town be correspondingly in- creased.
The annual statement, in usual form follows:
I. MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership Dec. 31, 1941 109
Enrolled during 1942 59
168
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Withdrawals Members retired
14
2
16
Total active members
152
2. Pensioners Dec. 31, 1941 Members retired during 1942
21
2
23
Deaths
1
Total pensioners
22
II. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Balance reported Dec. 31, 1941
$32,365.10
1. Receipts:
Appropriation Mar. 28, 1942
$18,290.00
Deductions from members' salaries and wages
8,801.70
Income from interest
1,038.00
Profit on sale of bonds
3.83
Increase in value of bonds
1.13
28,134.66
$60,499.76
2. Expenditures:
Pensions
$13,547.82
Annuities
193.68
Accidental death benefits
2,536.12
Repayment of members' deductions
1,993.16
Clerical services
366.00
Printing and stationery
58.16
Association dues
10.00
Postage and telephone
4.65
Loss on sale of bonds
197.78
Decrease in value of bonds
35.05
Cash balance
$3,217.83
Balance in securities
38,339.51
18,942.42
$41,557.34
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III. BALANCE SHEET
1. Assets:
Plymouth National Bank deposit $3,021.97
Cash on hand 195.86
Plymouth Savings Bank de- posit 5,580.60
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank deposit 3,602.77
U. S. Treasury bonds
1,073.89
U. S. Treasury Defense bonds 3,000.00
City of Boston bonds 2,581.31
Chesapeake & Ohio Rwy. bonds 2,100.51
Northern Pacific Rwy. bonds 1,569.88
Oregon Washington R. R. & Nav.
bonds 2,113.50
Marion Reserve Power Co.
bonds 3,203.46
American Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds
2,156.10
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. bonds
2,194.02
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. bonds
2,030.00
Southern California Edison Co.
bonds 2,039.72
First National Bank of Boston stock
2,431.25
National Shawmut Bank stock
2,662.50
$41,557.34
2. Liabilities:
Annuity Savings
Account $32,158.39
Less Interest
Deficiency 40.29
$32,118.10
Annuity Reserve Fund 2,689.89
Pension Accumulation Fund
6,684.84
Expense Fund 64.51 $41,557.34
Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL P. DEARBORN, Chairman, ELMER R. HARLOW, Secretary, HERBERT K. BARTLETT, Contributory Retirement System Board of Retirement, Plymouth.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth
The Board of Public Welfare presents herewith its an- nual report for the year 1942.
The year 1942 opened with the Department of Public Welfare aiding 130 cases representing 317 persons. The case load decreased moderately up to the early part of June when 119 cases were being aided. The case load leveled off from June to December averaging between 107 and 112 cases representing approximately 250 persons for the balance of the year. During the year 1942 there were 231 cases aided by the department. This number, how- ever, did not include those persons being aided in Town and State Infirmaries, in hospitals, institutions, or by other cities and towns.
One of the active functions of the department since April 11, 1941 has been the handling of the Food Stamp Plan. During the twelve months ending December 31, 1942 $70,045:50 of food stamps were issued through our Stamp Issuing Office. This represented $47,712.00 of or- ange stamps, and $22,333.50 of blue stamps, the Plymouth merchants benefiting by $22,333.50 worth of additional business, and a total of $70,045.50 of cash food business.
The demands upon the Department of Public Welfare have been of a somewhat unusual nature. The war pro- duction requirements limiting and changing our housing, heating, transportation, food, recreation, and living fac- tors, and reaching into every home has made it necessary for many persons not in need of financial assistance to seek advice and information from the department. Many persons have been interviewed and referred to the proper agencies, assisted in finding employment, and with the
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steady advance in food prices others, within the lower in- come group, have been assisted by our method of "setting up" of the family budget.
At the annual Town Meeting held in March 1942 Mr. A. Rodman Hussey, Jr. was elected a member of the Board of Public Welfare. On August 5, 1942 Mr. Hussey was commissioned a Lieutenant Senior Grade in the U. S. Navy and entered the service on September 10, 1942. To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth
As provided in Chapter 708 of the Acts of 1941, Section 11, effective October 29, 1941, at a regular meeting of the Selectmen held Thursday September 17, 1942 Mr. Gordon S. McCosh was appointed a member of the Board of Pub- lic Welfare as a military substitute until the expiration of Mr. Hussey's term of office or until his return from the U. S. Naval service, whichever first occurs.
The 1942 appropriation for salaries was $8,395.75. A transfer from the reserve fund of the Finance Committee of $132.45 was made on December 30, 1942 in order to meet the complete 1942 payrolls and place the depart- ment on the same basis as other town departments, so that the victory tax could be withheld from all town em- ployees commencing at the same time. This transfer made a total of $8,528.20, and this amount was expended for salaries in 1942.
The 1942 appropriation for other than salaries was $51,250.00, and the income from trust funds amounted to $52.74 making a total available of $51,302.74. Resulting from the above mentioned functions of the department, the defense opportunities, and the Food Stamp Plan, it was possible to turn back to the town to excess and de- ficiency $5,288.16.
INFIRMARY
No unusual problems have been presented in the op- eration of the Infirmary in the past year. An average of fourteen persons each week have been cared for in the
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institution at a total cost of $8,244.42. This amount includ- ed salaries, administration, and care. The salary expendi- tures amounted to $2,097.45, and all other expenses amounted to $6,146.97.
Only the most needed repairs were undertaken this year, and no special appropriation is being requested for 1943, although conditions at the Infirmary merit the ex- penditure of a substantial appropriation for the necessary operation requirements and much needed improvements.
GORDON S. McCOSH, EDMUND J. PRIESTLEY, Board of Public Welfare.
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REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance presents herewith its annual report for the year ending 1942.
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance is composed of two members from the Board of Public Welfare and a citizen appointed by the Board of Public Welfare.
At a special meeting held May 1, 1942, the Bureau was rganized as follows: Harold S. Damon, Chairman, with A. Rodman Hussey, Jr. and Edmund J. Priestley from the Board of Public Welfare.
In September of 1942 the Bureau was re-organized in view of the fact that A. Rodman Hussey, Jr. was called for active duty as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy. Mr. Gordon S. McCosh was appointed as military substitute for Mr. Hussey by the Selectmen, and appointed to the Bureau of Old Age Assistance by the Board of Public Welfare.
During 1942, 476 cases were aided at a total cost of $166,591.00 which is an approximate average yearly cost per case of $350.00. Of the total amount spent, $75,088.00 was received from the Federal Government, and approxi- mately $61,000.00 will be reimbursed to the Town by the State Department as their share of the money spent. After deducting the Federal and State's share of the expendi- tures for 1942, the net cost to the Town of Plymouth will be approximately $30,500.00.
Seventy-three cases were closed during 1942 for the following reasons:
Death
33
Drunkeness 4 Employment 11
Wives with suf. money
2 Suf. income from chil. 7
Moved to other towns 11 Sold property 1
Committed to Taunton 3 Not eligible 1
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There is no reason to believe that there will be any real reduction in the request for this type of assistance during 1943 as there is every reason to anticipate that the in- creased cost of living and the more liberal mandatory budgets imposed upon us will increase the cost per case.
The State Department of Public Welfare recommends one visitor for each two hundred Old Age Assistance cases and one for each one hundred Aid to Dependent Children cases. The present case load of 401 Old Age As- sistance and 51 Aid to Dependen Children cases is being handled by a Supervisor, Visitor, and Stenographer. It is contemplated that in order to meet State and Federal requirements it will be necessary to provide a larger working staff.
It is estimated that an appropriation of $108,778.40 will be required to meet the expenditures of the Department for 1943, $105,000.00 of this being for assistance and office administration, and $3,778.40 for salaries.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD S. DAMON, Chairman, EDMUND J. PRIESTLEY, GORDON S. McCOSH,
Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
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AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Board of Public Welfare presents herewith its annual report for the year 1942 on Aid to Dependent Children.
The Massachusetts Aid to Dependent Children Law was enacted in conformity with the Federal Social Se- curity Act. It provides for the administration of the pro- gram by local boards of public welfare under the super- vision of the State Department of Public Welfare. The general purpose of this program is to give the eligible children who have been deprived of parental support and care the opportunity of having a normal development in his own home with his parent or with specified relatives. A "Dependent" child is defined as one who is under the age of sixteen, or under the age of eighteen if regularly attending school, who has been deprived of parental sup- port or care by reason of the death, continued absence from home or physical or mental incapacity of a parent, and who is living with a parent or certain specified rela- tives.
During 1942, 71 cases, representing 210 persons, were aided at a total cost of $38,301.50 which meant an average yearly cost per case of $539.45. On January 1, 1942 there were 53 active cases. During the year 18 cases were added and 19 cases closed which showed a decrease of one case in the load for the year leaving an active case load of 52 on December 31, 1942. This is the first time for many years that there has been such a decrease as the number of persons aided under this category has increased stead- ily since it was first instituted. This condition is mostly the result of the increased employment opportunities available to both parents and children.
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The nineteen cases closed during the year were for the following reasons:
Employment 9 Child became 18 2
Remarried 2 Husband discharged
Suf. income
4 from House of
Moved to another town 1 Correction 1
Of the total amount of $38,301.50 spent for this type of assistance during 1942, grants received from the Federal Government amounted to $9,636.00. Approximately $12,767.00 will be re-imbursed to the Town by the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts which will result in a net cost to the Town of Plymouth of approximately $15,898.00. The Federal Government also contributes its proportion- ate share of the expense for salaries and office administra- tion incurred for this category of assistance.
It is estimated that $46,340.00 will be needed to carry out the Aid to Dependent Children program for 1943. As the Federal Government will contribute approximately $11,585.00, it will be necessary for the Town to appropri- ate the balance of $34,755.00.
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON S. McCOSH, Chairman, EDMUND J. PRIESTLEY,
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REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1942
The Board of Cemetery Commissioners, as indicated in its report for 1941, felt that the past year was not one in which new projects should be undertaken. Accordingly the activities of the Department were limited to keeping the cemeteries under its care in the best possible condition with the funds made available by the Town. It was neces- sary to reduce the work done on maintenance and the annual care of lots and graves because of the increase in the hourly rate of pay voted by the Town in March 1942, with no increase in the appropriation available for this purpose.
The Department does a great deal of work for which the Town is reimbursed, such as the care of lots and graves, building foundations for headstones, grading lots, preparation of graves, etc., but the money received by the Town is not available for the payment of the wages and expenses, as it is not added to our appropriation. The receipts from this source in recent years have been as follows;
1940
$2,796
1941
2,835
1942
3,367
It is impossible to take care of this work, if available funds are not sufficient. Sufficient balance must be re- tained in the appropriation to take care of necessary things such as opening graves, which must be estimated to the end of the year, although most of the work of main- tenance and care is completed by September. For this reason and in order to keep the cemeteries in suitable condition, and in order to have a little larger amount available for work for the owners of the lots, we are asking for $9,000 for general expenses, including wages, for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries, instead of $8,000 appropriated last year.
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For Burial Hill we are asking for $2,000 instead of $1,800 and for the outlying cemeteries $1,000 instead of $850. These increases are considerably less than the increase of 30% in wages voted in 1942. Practically all of the ex- pence in these cemeteries is for labor.
The attention of those who have established Perpetual "are Funds and those who consider doing so, is directed to the present rate of return on such funds, and the higher rate of charges for wages for work done. These funds are deposited in local savings banks and the income is now at the rate of two per cent. Labor on lots is charged against these funds at cost, which is now 65c per hour, plus a small charge for the use of tools and equipment. Accordingly, if the fund is $100, the income is $2, which permits only about three hours work on the lot during the whole year.
Obviously, this will not be sufficient to give proper care in most cases. This situation should be carefully con- sidered with respect to existing funds, which may be added to if desired, as well as to new funds.
OUTSIDE CEMETERIES
At the Manomet Cemetery two roads were laid out and twenty-four lots staked and bounds set, in the new section adjacent to White Horse Road. If the appropria- tion for 1943 permits, the Commissioners plan to do some work grading these roads in order that these lots may be made more readily accessible.
The Chiltonville, South Pond and Cedarville Cemeter- ies have received such care as permitted by the limited funds at our disposal.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Chairman, EDWARD R. BELCHER, RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE,
Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
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-135- REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board organized for 1942-43 with Allen D. Russell as Chairman and Arthur E. Blackmer as Sec- retary.
The year just passed has been a peculiar one for the Planning Board. The dearth of automobiles has made consideration of parking places and new routes less im- portant than formerly. Entire withdrawal of Federal and State Funds for road building and harbor dredging have ended consideration of those subjects.
As the year started the Public Work Reserve Committee was busily analyzing municipal expenditures and receipts and attempting to forecast for six years ahead the prob- able income available for capital improvements, and to work out with the various departments worthwhile pro- jects for future completion. While the town committee served without pay there were state and area officials who were paid. When the Federal Government failed to appropriate funds for the continuance of the work which they had themselves requested the Public Works Reserve Committee ceased to function. The Planning Board how- ever inherited the work done and proceeded to follow it up in an effort to provide some sort of budget or estimate of town finances past present and future.
Because of the rapidly changing conditions the Board is not yet ready to provide figures very far ahead. Not only must we deal with some fifty classifications of ac- counts but each classification in itself is subject to change by federal, state, county, town and individual orders. A clever accountant might figure out what the state could expect to collect in income taxes this year with increased wages going to production but decreased returns from capital investment. But what the town's share of that tax is depends on how much the state is willing to give us. Again, our tax rate does not depend entirely on what the Town votes, for county and state taxes are included with town taxes in figuring the tax rate.
SUMMARY OF INCOME FOR PAST SIX YEARS
Town Taxes
4
Our Share
State Taxes
Department
Receipts
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