USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1947 > Part 9
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We were also fortunate in getting permission to re- move fish from Little South Pond, the State Department of Conservation doing the work.
The number taken was 2914, consisting of 609 small mouth bass, 1,024 white perch 9 to 13 inches in length, 71 yellow perch 8 to 14 inches and 1210 hornpout 6 to 10 inches in length, and all without cost to the town. These fish were distributed among Plymouth ponds.
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Your Committee has been promised more white perch for the year 1948 and it requests that the sum of three hundred dollars be appropriated.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. BAILEY, Chairman GEORGE L. GOODING HOWARD M. MORTON
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
No major construction project was carried out by the Town during 1947.
A survey and layout plan was made for Margerie St., easterly from Oak St., and this layout was accepted by the Town at the annual town meeting in March.
Main St. Extension was re-numbered from Leyden St. to Water St. and a plan of this is on file at the Town Clerk's office. 1
A survey and plan was made for Avery Road off Nook Road, and also for an alteration at the corner of Mt. Pleasant and South Sts.
Much time was spent on engineering work in connec- tion with leased land at the Town Wharf and also with the damaged Water St. sea wall.
Miscellaneous engineering work was done for the Board of Assessors, the School Department, and the Park Department.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD CHASE, Town Engineer.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPART- MENT FOR THE YEAR 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen: :
The high degree of efficiency is still maintained as will be seen by the report.
The department answered 518 calls; box alarms 134; still alarms 348; radio alarms 36.
BUILDINGS
There are still needed repairs at the Central Station, namely the pointing of the rear brick walls and chim- ney. The remodel of outer office and some of the sleep- ing rooms.
FIRE ALARM
As in the past reports the fire alarm should be re- newed at Central Station, switch board and repeater.
The outside lines are in good condition but should be extended South from Cliff Street to junction of Warren Avenue.
RADIO
Radio F. M. sets are all in good condition and proved of immense value, not only to this department, but to the Forest Fire Department as well.
APPARATUS
All apparatus is in good condition, including Engine No. 5 which was remodeled this last year.
REPAIR DEPARTMENT
This department as stated in past reports is of great value to both the regular and the Forest Fire Depart- ment, all work of both being taken care of.
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ORGANIZATION
Fire Commissioner, John J. Magee Fire Chief, Everett B. Wood
Deputy Chief, Clifton B. Hatton
Chaplain, Reverend Ernest Pugh
Fire Dept. Surgeon, Dr. Harold H. Hamilton
4 Permanent Captains
2. Call Captains
3 Call Lieutenants
16 Permanent Men
40 Call Men
On May 1st of this year a call company was established at Manomet, with a complement of ten men.
One man deceased, Mr. Alston Tripp of the Manomet Company, who passed away December 4th, 1947.
REPORT OF FIRE DUTY
Miles traveled ... 3,025
False Alarms
12
Rescue Boat 3
E. & J. Resuscitator
3
Feet of hose laid
/
6,250-2-1/2"
14,685-11/2"
29,150- 3/4"
1,550-11/8"
Water from booster hose tanks 60,000 gallons 1,608 feet of ladder used.
Out of town Calls 4.
Made inspections on power oil burners, storage for kitchen burners, gasoline storage tanks and filling sta- tions, Old Age and welfare Homes; and all places of business where inflammables are kept, stored or sold: in- spections made 1318.
Assessed value of buildings .... $119,400.00
Value of contents 27,500.00
$146,900.00
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Insurance on buildings .........
$111,570.00
Insurance on contents
22,400.00
-
$133,970.00
Loss on buildings
..............
$ 9,013.78
Loss on contents
............... 2,840.00
$ 11,853.78
Insurance paid on buildings
........ ...
$ 3,158.38
Insurance paid on contents
2,300.00
$
5,458.38
JOHN J. MAGEE, Fire Commissioner.
REPORT OF FOREST FIRE WARDEN FOR THE YEAR 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit report for the year 1947.
FIRES
During the year we reported to the State 56 fires, of these the largest being sixty acres, the average being one-half acre. We had an extremely dry season through- out the year, causing your warden to open up the Town Forest Tower in the Month of October for about one week. We had air patrol for three days by courtesy of the First Service Command.
The department laid 7,250 feet of 3/4" hose; 7,925 feet Jof 11/2" hose; 3,300 feet 11/8" hose. Water from booster tanks 43,335 gallons. Miles traveled 1,192.
EVERETT B. WOOD,
Forest Fire Warden.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
A great deal of work was done this year in the town forest. The iron work on the tower had to be scraped and painted as it was rusted very badly.
Fire lanes were plowed.
A large amount of young pines were trimmed and brush burned.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. KENNEDY.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1947:
Number of arrests for the year 1947:
Males
548
Females
52
Total
600
Amount of fines imposed
$5,625.00
Property recovered
21,260.02
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL P. DEARBORN, Chief of Police
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF RETIREMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Board of Retirement presents herewith its elev- enth report covering the activities and condition of the Contributory Retirement System for the year 1947.
Pamphlets on the revised law on retirement systems were published this year by the Mass. Association of Cont. Retirement Boards and distributed among the members. Any who have not received one, may obtain a copy at the Town Accountant's office.
We lost by death during the year two of our pension- ers, Abbott A. Raymond and Frederick W. Paty, and one of our active members, Alston C. Tripp.
Under 1947 legislation new employees, earning less than $200 a year, are ineligible for membership but are covered in case of accidental death or disability.
I. MEMBERSHIP
1. Active Membership Dec. 31, 1946
157
Enrolled during 1947
40
Transfers from Inactive Membership
2
199
Deaths
1
Withdrawals
19
Retirements
3
Transfers to Inactive Membership
3
26
Total Active .. Membership, Dec. 31, 1947
2. Inactive Membership, Dec. 31, 1946 33
Retirements 3
173
-
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Transfers from Active Membership
3
39
Deaths
Withdrawals
2
5
Transfers to Active
Membership
2
9
Total Inactive Membership, Dec. 31, 1947 ** 30
This total includes all retired members
3. Beneficiaries from Accidental Deaths 3
II. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Balance, Dec. 31, 1946
$92,704.18
1. Receipts:
Appropriation March 1947
$28,122.36
Deductions from members' salaries and wages
16,491.02
Income from interest
2,892.36
Profit from sale of stock
73.40
Increase by adjustment
in securities:
For 1946
1,402.04
For 1947
60.83
49,042.01
$141,746.19
2. Expenditures:
Annuities
$1,023.82
Pensions
19,144.92
Accidental death benefits
3,378.28
Refunds to former members
1,487.75
Clerical services
676.00
Stationery, printing, postage
61.00
Travel and dues
33.00
Rent of deposit box
9.00
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Decrease by adjustment
in securities:
For 1946
244.81
For 1947
1,046.94
27,105.52
Balance, Dec. 31, 1947
$114,640.67
III. BALANCE SHEET
1. Assets:
Plymouth National Bank
$6,873.65
Plymouth Savings Bank 5,144.30
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
3,979.65
First National Bank of Boston stock 2,450.00
National Shawmut Bank stock
2,400.00
Brockton National Bank stock
3,840.00
National Rockland Bank
of Boston stock
2,900.00
U. S. Treasury bonds, 27/8%
1,045.83
U. S. Treasury bonds,
Series G
34,000.00
City of Boston bonds
2,506.22
Chesapeake &
Ohio Rwy. bonds
1,048.22
Northern Pacific Rwy. bonds
3,866.67
Louisville & Nashville
2,192.50
Rwy. bonds N. Y. Central &
Hudson River Rwy. bonds
3,199.53
Reading Co. Rwy. bonds
5,093.50
Great Northern Rwy. bonds
3,033.18
N. Y., Chicago &
St. Louis Rwy bonds 5,114.96
Virginian Rwy. bonds 2,188.17
American Tel. & Tel. Co.
bonds of '86 2,017.00
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-
American Tel. & Tel. Co.
bonds of '82 2,013.31
American Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '80 2,025.65
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds
2,025.00
New Eng. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds
2,060.00
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co.
bonds of '70 2,026.59
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co.
bonds of '71
2,100.08
Public Service Co.
of N. H. bonds
2,161.05
Southern California Edison
bonds
2,033.02
Northern Indiana Public
Service bonds
3,222.62
Montana Power Co. bonds
2,079.97
$114,640.67
2. Liabilities:
Annuity Savings Fund
$74,424.11
Annuity Reserve Fund
10,575.13
Military Service Fund
1,893.13 1
Pension Fund
27,186.72
Expense Fund
561.58
$114,640.67
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL P. DEARBORN, Chairman
CORA B. GRADY, Secretary HERBERT K. BARTLETT Contributory Retirement System Board of Retirement, Plymouth.
1
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Board of Public Welfare presents herewith its Annual Report for the year 1947.
The members of the Board of Public Welfare on Jan- uary 1, 1947 were Gordon S. McCosh, Chairman, Harold G. Roberts, and Andrew Rae, Jr.
At the Annual Town Election held on March 1, 1947, Gordon S. McCosh was re-elected a member of the Board of Public Welfare for three years.
At the organization meeting of the Board, following the Town Election and held on March 6, 1947, Gord. n S. McCosh was again elected Chairman of the Board, Albert A. Saunders elected the Board Secretary and appointed Supervisor of the Department of Public Wel- fare, Edmund J. Priestley was appointed Supervisor of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children.
The Board of Public Welfare as Directors of the Plym- outh Town Infirmary appointed Russell L. Dickson, for the 41st time, the Superintendent of the Town Infirmary and Sarah A. Dickson as Matron.
The year 1947 presented a steadily increasing demand for Public Assistance. 177 cases were granted "outside" assistance during the year representing 682 persons, 129 applications were accepted for assistance and an addi- tional 102 persons were interviewed and referred to other Private or Public Agencies or were denied Public Assistance for various reasons. 106 cases were closed during the year and 32 of these cases re-applied again during the year.
The usual Social problems, accelerated by the increase in "Loss of Employment" and the steady advance in living costs, were responsible for the continually in- creasing demand for Public Assistance.
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30% of the applications for assistance were caused by "loss of employment-lay off or discharge"; 25% were caused by illness or disablement; 20% because of the death or absence from the home of the "worker" of the family, 10% because of the loss of contributions from legally liable persons; 5% due to the depletion of sav- ings or other resources and 5% for other and various reasons.
The year closed with 102 "open" cases, 82 of which were with a settlement in Plymouth, 8 with a settlement in other towns or cities and 12 were without a settle- ment.
As the finance committee did not approve and recom- mend to the Voters at the Annual Town Meeting the re- quested necessary appropriation of funds to meet the estimated budgets and the Department of Public Wel- fare's anticipated increase in the demand for Public Assistance during the year 1947, the appropriation of $65,210 made at the Annual March 22nd Town Meeting, supplemented by the $3,438.54 remaining from the Spec- ial appropriation of October 14, 1946, failed to meet the demands made upon the Department of Public Welfare for relief, it was necessary on December 18, 1947 to re- quest the finance committee for additional funds. The Finance Committee met in part the amount requested by making a transfer of $2,019.60 which also proved inade- quate, and in order to discharge the Legal obligations of the Board of Public Welfare to "Relieve and support all poor and indigent persons" under Chapter 117 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, it was necessary to withhold the payment of several 1947 bills in the amount of $2,055.60, owed to the Commonwealth and to other towns and cities, to be paid for from the 1948 appropri- ated funds.
.
INFIRMARY
The services and facilities of the Town Infirmary were extended during the year to 18 persons, eleven of whom were residents the entire year.
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The high cost of Labor and materials made it necessary to postpone many of the needed improvements and only the emergency and necessary repairs and replacements were undertaken during the 1947 year.
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON S. McCOSH, Chairman HAROLD G. ROBERTS ANDREW RAE, JR.
Board of Public Welfare.
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REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
Presented herewith is the annual report of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance for 1947.
Old Age Assistance is a form of assistance provided for the aged citizens of Massachusetts who are sixty-five years of age or over, and who meet the requirements as established by law. This program comes under the Social Security Act, being administered by a local Bureau of three members in accordance with the law, and rules and regulations as issued by the State Department of Public Welfare.
The statutes of Massachusetts require that assistance payment in all categories of public assistance shall be based on need. Need may be defined as a condition re- sulting from lack of income or other resources sufficient to maintain a content of living compatible with health, self-respect, and decency. In order to determine the amount of assistance required by recipients, the State Department of Public Welfare issues a Standards of As- sistance which is mandatory in the categories of Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children. The Standards of Assistance consist of three parts, each of which is necessary, (1) determining whether or not a person is in need, (2) what resources he has to meet this need, (3) and how much assistance is necessary. This budget is revised by the State Department of Public Welfare whenever it appears that it is not adequate to meet the needs of the recipients. There was one major budget change in 1947 which was effective as of Septem- ber 1, 1947. The cost for this was not apparent until October as it was impossible to put the new budget into effect until that time. This increase has added approx- imately $3,500.00 to the payroll each month.
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A total of ninety-eight applications were taken in 1947, ten of which were withdrawn or rejected. Sixty-seven cases were closed during the year making a net gain of twenty-one cases. At the present time we have a case load of four hundred and forty-three which we expect to be increased considerably during the coming year. The average cost per case in December 1946 was $57.09, but this has increased to $64.75 per month in December 1947. However, the cost per case for the first nine months averaged $56.58, but the new budgetary change which was paid in October increased the average cost per case considerably.
The cost for Old Age Assistance was $306,296.44 in 1947 of which $119,981.42 was paid by the Federal Govern- ment; there were recoveries from two cases amounting to $574.07; and the State reimbursed $124,711.01, making the net cost to the Town $61,029.94. The money reim- bursed by the State goes into the Excess and Deficiency funds of the Town and is not used directly for Old Age Assistance which is the reason that the State's share of the cost for this assistance must be appropriated each year by the Town.
As of October 1946 the Federal Government increased its participation in Old Age Assistance cases, and is now contributing on the basis of one-half the amount spent up to $45.00 per month, plus an additional amount of $2.50 for each case aided during each month, making the maximum participation in any case $25.00 per month. The Federal Grants are always two months in arrears which is the reason the increased participation did not show up until 1947. The contribution from the Govern- ment increased from $91,299.76 in 1946 to $119,981.42 in 1947, and the reimbursement from the State increased from $115,462.94 to $124,711.01. The actual cost to the Town increased from $55,233.06 in 1946 to $61,029.94 in 1947 which means that the Town actually paid an aver- age of $11.82 per month for each case aided.
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The Federal Government also changed its rate of par- ticipation for administration in October 1946, and the participation is now on the basis of fifty percent of the actual cost of administration for Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children. We have not been notified as yet what part of this fifty percent is retained by the State Department of Public Welfare for its share of the administration, but the increased allowance to the Town has been substantial. An amount of $4,633.45 was re- ceived for the administration of Old Age Assistance and $1,030.95 for Aid to Dependent Children, making a total paid by the Federal Government of $5,664.40. Included in this amount is the adjustment for three months in 1946 as well as the participation for purchase and operation of the car purchased this year. The total amount spent for salaries to administer Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children in 1947 was $8,355.11.
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON S. McCOSH, Chairman ANDREW RAE, JR. HAROLD G. ROBERTS
Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
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REPORT OF AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
Presented herewith is the annual report of the Board of Public Welfare for Aid to Dependent Children for 1947.
Aid to Dependent Children is a type of assistance given to a dependent child under the age of sixteen, or under the age of eighteen if still going to school, who has been deprived of ordinary parental care and support because of the death of either parent, divorce, desertion, separa- tion, mental or physical incapacity of the parent, or com- mitment of the parent to a penal institution. As in other categories of assistance, this type is based on need, and the same rules regarding assets and resources apply to it. This aid comes under the Social Security Act, and we conform with the rules and regulations issued by the State Department of Public Welfare. The State also furnishes us with a mandatory budget which is revised in accordance with living conditions.
Both the Federal Government and the State Depart- ment of Public Welfare share in the expense for this category of assistance. The Federal Government is now reimbursing on the basis of one-half the amount spent up to $24.00 for the first child, and one-half up to $15.00 for each succeeding child each month, plus an additional allowance of $1.50 for each child aided each month. The State continues to pay one-third of the entire cost for this category of assistance.
In 1947 the total cost for Aid to Dependent Children was $52,886.60 of which the Federal Government paid $12,260.65. The reimbursement by the State totaled $17,628.86 which goes into the Excess and Deficiency funds. This made a net cost to the Town of $22,997.09 for an average case load of 50 families with 100 children. The average cost per child aided is now $46.45 per month.
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The Federal Government also pays fifty percent of the administration for Aid to Dependent Children, and this money, together with the participation for Old Age As- sistance administration, is used for salaries. Both cate- gories of assistance are handled by the same staff, and the time spent for each category is determined by a time study conducted under instructions from the State De- partment. An amount of $1,030.95 was allowed by the Federal Government in 1947 which included a portion of the cost and operation of the car purchased this year.
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON S. McCOSH, Chairman ANDREW RAE, JR. HAROLD G. ROBERTS
Aid to Dependent Children.
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REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1947
The Cemetery Commissioners present herewith their report for the year 1947:
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemetery
The Summer Street entrance has been greatly im- proved by the planting of several types of shrubs.
We have transplanted approximately 200 shrubs from our own stock to fill several beauty spots. The develop- ment of new beauty spots, together with the care and improvement of those already laid out has increased the attractive appearance of the Cemetery.
Some dead trees have been taken down and other trees that needed trimming have had attention.
An unsatisfactory drainage condition at a low spot on Forest Ave., that has been troublesome for years, has been cared for by the construction of a new dry well at this point.
Approximately 1200 sq. yds. of hard surfacing has been laid in the westerly part of Vine Hills Cemetery on the drive leading to the upper Samoset Street entrance at a cost of $1800.
Burial Hill
Several trees on Burial Hill had to be removed and all the remaining ones were trimmed.
A new water pipe was laid from School Street to the top of the Hill and a drinking fountain will be erected during 1948, which should be a convenience to visitors.
There appeared to be a decided increase in the number of tourists during 1947 and it is our aim to keep the Hill in an attractive condition at all times.
Some of the walks near and around the Governor Bradford Monument have been resurfaced with asphalt.
All signs on the Hill were newly painted in 1947 and several new ones were added.
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Manomet Cemetery
Ten new lots have been graded adjacent to the twenty mentioned in the 1946 report and we are planning to grade some additional single lots during 1948.
A hard surfacing has been laid at the upper and lower entrances at a cost of $179.
Cedarville Cemetery
There is very little vacant land in the Cedarville Cem- etery that can be sold for lots and it will soon be neces- sary to acquire additional land.
Joining the present cemetery, on the south, is an area containing about two acres, owned by Mrs. Lillian Kim- ball, that can be purchased for $300.
We recommend an appropriation of $300. for this pur- chase and $500. for clearing and grading a portion of this land during 1948.
Veterans Graves
A survey was made of Veterans Graves in 1947 and as a result twenty-five graves were given necessary atten- tion, at an approximate cost of $125.
The Commissioners plan, during the coming year, to start grading a portion of the land acquired for the ad- dition to Vine Hills Cemetery. We are asking for $1,000. for this purpose.
We are again asking for an appropriation for a dump truck and we feel sure a real economy could be effected in the maintenance of all cemeteries under our charge by owning one.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Chairman RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE JOHN B. FINNEY
Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
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REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town House Plymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen,
The Planning Board has operated this year under the Chairmanship of Allen D. Russell; Mr. Arthur E. Black- mer, Secretary.
Most of the work this year has been put in on the by- pass for two reasons. First, that seemed to be the most important item, and second with so much that must be done there seemed little point in planning that which might be done; especially as our working funds were cut so deeply nothing could be done anyway.
There follow the Municipal Finance figures to go in the financial chart in the spaces allowed for 1946;
TABLE A1
Property
$793.844.98
Motor Vehicle
16,897.50
Poll
6,234.00
Tax Titles
404.37
Total
$817,380.85
TABLE A2 SHARED REV.
Corporation Taxes
$83,211.85
Income Taxes
102,206.00
Soldiers Exemptions
1,639.44
Total
$187,057.29
TABLE A3 DEPARTMENTAL RECEIPTS
General Govt.
$2,838.28
Police
1,544.01
Health
2,098.33
Sanitation
845.03
Highways
14,205.45
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Welfare
4,404.15
Education
8,716.94
Recreation
3,323.17
Cemetery
9,914.69
Wharf
2,581.25
Refunds
2,248.99
Water Sales
50,097.56
Total
$102,817.85
TABLE A4 GRANTS
Welfare
$139,406.07
Education
36,257.71
Highways
0.00
Dog Licenses
1,680.57
Old Age, etc.
117,922.20
Total
$295,266.55
TABLE A5 LICENSES
Licenses, Fines
$20,086.47
Betterments
1
320.00
Interest
1,744.63
Sales
717.00
Bonds Sold
150,600.00
Trust Income
12,523.50
Total
$185,991.60
TABLE B1 Cost of Debt
Int. Temp. Loans
$211.83
Int. on Bonds
1,320.00
Total
$1,531.83
Bond Princ. Pd.
12,000.00
Grand Total
$13,531.83
TABLE B2 Annual Cost, Taxes
State Miscel. $2,317.40
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State Tax
20,402.99
County Tax
52,394.28
7,052.52
Trust Expenses Refunds Paid
5,241.42
Total
$87,408.61
TABLE B3 Operating Expenses
General Govt.
$59.787.21
Police
55,222.24
Health
36,103.34
Sanitation
33,071.99
Highways
59,796.08
Welfare
395,964.13
Education
305,911.95
Parks, Etc.
21,997.90
Cemetery
23,751.90
Wharf
13,220.78
Fire Dept.
65,833.25
Water Dept.
48,081.70
Snow Removal
7,039.72
Street Lighting
19,935.42
W. P. A.
612.14
Libraries
15,533.84
Protection P. & P.
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