USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1949 > Part 27
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The grass section at the Post Office around the drinking fountain was removed and replaced with cement. This work was done by contract at a cost of $221.35. Olmstead Terrace cement curbing on the north side was extended 297 feet to the last house and an asphalt mixed top laid over the dirt surface. At Sandwich Street, a small section of curbing was built to prevent cars and trucks from breaking up the sidewalk in front of No. 223. The corners of Savery's Lane on the north and south side were rounded
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to make a safer entrance onto Court St., each corner being cut off approximately five feet. Court St., on the east side from Castle Street, two large trees and stumps were removed and the road widened three feet. A cement curb was replaced and sidewalk repaired. At Castle Street, a cement wall 30' x 21" x 7" was built to hold a bank and sidewalk where the road was widened during construc- tion to the old road bed. Several cement slabs were replaced where the tree roots had broken them and mak- ing a dangerous condition.
TRAFFIC AND STREET MARKING
The usual work of street marking and traffic lines was carried out this year with additional lines and crosswalks being added. All meters were changed to meet State regulations. The spaces were painted and all restricted areas painted in yellow lines. Traffic signs were repaired and a large number of new signs set up.
MISCELLANEOUS
The old flume at Morton Park was replaced with new plank and iron work. All planks were creosoted to protect them from water and weather.
Several requests from the Selectmen's office and other town departments were given special attention.
The work in the outlying districts has been carried out in the cutting of brush, gravelling, widening bad corners and scraping. All dirt roads were given an application of calcium chloride to lay the dust during the dry weather.
A large number of accepted roads have been bounded by the Town Engineer with the bounds being made by the Highway Department.
Lines and grades for street and sewer work have been supplied by the Town Engineer, Edward Chase, and rec- ords of same filed at his office.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER C. CHANDLER,
Supt. of Streets and Sewers.
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REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH BOARD OF HEALTH For 1950
The work of your Board of Health has followed along the customary lines of previous years.
We are happy to state that the number of contagious diseases reported was unusually low. There were two cases of Polio, one being the paralytic type. The most prevalent type of contagious disease reported was measles.
The few cases of communicable diseases in Plymouth was general through the Commonwealth. The State Department of Public Health stated that there were fewer communicable diseases in the Commonwealth in 1950 than at any time since 1916.
Your Health Department continues to recommend parents to have their children immunized against diph- theria. Four clinics are conducted for that purpose but the attendance has been small. This may be due in some respects to the fact that many physicians immunize for contagious diseases after a child has reached the age of six months. We continue, however, to urge parents to take full advantage of the immunization clinics as in this way they will protect their children from dangerous diseases.
We wish to point out that the State health laws are strict about parents reporting all cases of contagious diseases that exist in their families. This is done to pro- tect the community from epidemics. If you have a child that has a high fever and shows signs of scarlet fever, report it at once to the Board of Health.
Your Board of Health continues to carry on its careful
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supervision of milk sold in the Town. Samples of milk are collected regularly for analysis and the reports are checked with the dealers. The milk supply has proved to be excellent and it has seldom been necessary to order any changes in the handling or the production of milk sold locally. We believe that the efficient and careful supervision by your Board of Health has much to do with the high standards of milk sold locally.
We have analyzed several samples of water that was questioned about its purity.
All of the milk and water samples are analyzed by the Steele Laboratory in East Bridgewater. The work is done under a yearly contract and has saved the Town many dollars over the method used previously that called for a full-time local milk inspector and a local laboratory.
One of the biggest problems your Board of Health has to contend with is the dumping of rubbish and refuse along the highways. We have had close cooperation with the State and the Plymouth Highway Department but this refuse nuisance continues to trouble us. We have not hesitated to begin court action against offenders.
The collection of garbage is one of the big jobs of your department. Manomet is expanding rapidly and has thrown an additional burden on the garbage collection service. We are asking for extra money for 1951 to handle the extra garbage collections that must be made during the summer months.
The condition of the town dumps has been good the past year. There have been few complaints. We are giv- ing this part of the department's work closer attention and each spring and fall have used bulldozers to cover over the dumps and encourage orderly disposal of refuse.
Regular inspections are made of all eating establish- ments and by use of a score card we are able to keep
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account of each individual establishment. We also inspect bakeries, fish markets, stores, pasteurization plants and all other places that handle food. We believe that this service could well be extended at some future time when additional funds could be made available.
In July, Mr. Herbert S. Maxwell, a loyal and depend- able member of the Board, passed away. Mi. Maxwell had been a member of the Board since March, 1919. He missed a Board meeting only infrequently. His long experience and wise counsel served the Board well. His presence is truly missed. At a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Mauro J. Canevazzi was chosen to fill the vacancy.
Respectfully submitted,
MEDORA V. EASTWOOD, M. D., Chairman
PAUL W. BITTINGER MAURO J. CANEVAZZI Plymouth Board of Health
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VETERANS' SERVICES
The Honorable Board of Selectmen: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Veterans' Services Department for the year 1950:
The year began with a local business recession which resulted in an abnormally high need for Veterans' Bene- fits. In about three and one-half months, this Department had to spend about half of its appropriation for the year, with its rolls growing to a peak on April 1 of seventy-two families. This relief load rapidly dropped off with the coming of the spring and summer seasons and the national defense activity at the end of the year has kept employ- ment at a reasonably high level, so that few of the cases on the rolls at the end of the year were able-bodied men. This should mean a substantial saving in relief funds in 1951, although the addition of War Allowance as a responsibility of this Department may possibly add sub- stantially to our expenses. War Allowance is the relief, which is reimbursed in full by the State, offered to the dependents of those men who have gone into military service and who are not able to send full support to their families. Although this aid will be fully reimbursed to the Town, some funds must be available in my budget to make payments when necessary.
Apart from relief activities, the Department has found an increased interest in other veterans' matters, for example, education under the G. I. Bill, which will no longer be available after July, 1951, except in courses started before that date. The re-entry of many reservists and other veterans into service has also brought a large number of requests for information. Interest continues
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high in veterans' insurance, since an eight-year dividend was paid in 1950 and a three-year dividend will be paid in 1951.
The following breakdown shows the headings under which services have been rendered by this Department in the year, 1950, with the number of cases which fall under each heading:
Allotment or Allowance
5
Bonus Application
14
Civil Service
10
Discharges Recorded
50
Education
48
Employment
27
Gratuity-6 months
1
Housing
28
Information
562
Legal Aid
31
Maternity
1
Notary Public
14
Other Records
112
Readjustment
7
Taxes
39
Telephone Calls and Letters
955
Terminal Leave Papers
1
Unemployment Compensation
6
Veterans' Administration
Burial
1
Compensation
15
Education
28
Training
35
Rehabilitation
7
Hospitalization
20
Insurance
164
Loans
31
Medical - Dental
127
Pensions
24
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Veterans' Benefits Vital Statistics Miscellaneous
236
93
12
Appropriations and expenditures for the year were as follows:
Salaries Office Exp. Veterans' Benefits
Appropriation: $3,625.00
$275.00
$33,500.00
Payments
3,625.00
274.56
34,163.86
Refunds
735.75
Balance to Revenue
.44 71.89
Respectfully yours,
THOMAS F. QUINN, Director.
Department For The INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The following is a summary of building activities within the Town for the year ending December 31, 1950.
No. Kind Est. Cost
56 Dwellings
$341,100
247 Summer Cottages
539,449
12 Tourist Cabins
8,600
35 Garages
16,675
27 Boy Scout Camps
40,500
1 School
336,000
31 Others
139,700
34 Alterations & Additions to Dwellings
36,700
28 Alterations & Additions to Summer Cottages 11,250
25 Alterations & Additions to Other Buildings
36,200
496
$1,506,174
Respectfully submitted, EDWIN H. CUNNINGHAM, Building Inspector.
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Report of The PARK DEPARTMENT
All parks and gardens have been kept neat and clean during 1950. New railings have been put on the bridges at Brewster Garden. The river-bed at Brewster Garden was thoroughly cleaned in December, 1949, and the flats lowered so that the river-bed was covered at all times. Work on the Market Street bridge has caused the flats to build up again, and should be removed again this year. Bang's Park at Stephens Field has been rebuilt and stock is on hand to enclose the pond with a rustic fence. Con- siderable work has been done on the property purchased by the Town from the Morton Estate for park purposes and will probably be finished in the spring. Much brush has been cut and burned at Morton Park; more parking space will be available the coming season. Due to the new State highway being built, the roads at Morton Park have been used as a detour, and regardless of the coopera- tion of the Highway Superintendent, they are in a rough condition. Although many people have used Morton Park for picnics and bathing this year, owing to detours and poor weather conditions, the attendance has shown a marked decrease.
All playgrounds have been kept in neat and safe condi- tion, and have been well attended. The two new tennis courts at Stephens Field were finished this year and were constantly in use. The four double, two clay, and two hard-surfaced courts have been entirely enclosed with an eight-foot chain link fence. A five-foot chain link fence has been erected at the Standish Avenue Playground between the playground and Liberty Street. The avenue at Nelson Street has been hard-surfaced; the work being done under the supervision of the Highway Department.
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Recreational Program
The, recreational functions of the season were high- lighted by the following activities:
1. Baseball League, eleven teams, 150 boys playing 57 games in two leagues.
2. Junior and Senior all-star baseball games.
3. Daily swimming classes, 102 enrolled.
4. Arts and Crafts program, and exhibit at the three playgrounds.
5. Band Concerts at Veteran's Field.
6. Baseball league picnic at Nelson's Grove.
7. Children's picnic at Edaville.
8. Croquet and Tennis tournaments.
9. Annual Playground Field Day.
10. Fourth of July Children's Sports Program.
The bathhouses, beaches and floats have been kept in a safe condition. The bathhouse roof at Stephens Field has been finished and the workshop roof has been shingled. A new raft has been launched at Morton Park and one at Stephens Field. The fishermen's buildings at Beach Park have been moved as directed by the Town making considerably more parking area. The State has put a curbing between the State Highway and the parking area, leaving two entrances which will be a safety meas- ure for entering and leaving the parking area. The con- cession at Beach Park was let this year for $1,050.00. The wind being in the East so much this season, it has been impossible to keep the beach in as good condition as we would like. Unfavorable weather conditions have caused a decrease in attendance at all bathing beaches. Camp sites have been well occupied during the season, especially Indian Reservation. At Indian Reservation considerable damage was done by heavy rains causing wash-outs. About seven of the ten acres at this place have been cleared of brush.
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Receipts at Indian Reservation $2,196.50
Receipts at Nelson Street 1,194.70
Receipts at Beach Park
795.25
Receipts at Morton Park
53.05
Receipts at Stephens Field
32.50
We wish to thank the Town Brook Committee, the Garden Club for the interest shown the Department, and also to thank other department heads for their fine cooperation.
Board of Park Commissioners
JOHN A. SIEVER, Chairman EDWARD J. E. HAND ARTHUR SIRRICO
CLIFTON C. WOOD,
Park Superintendent.
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Water Commissioners AND
Superintendent
OF THE
Town of Plymouth Massachusetts
1820
YMOJ
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1950
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NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Water Commissioners presents its ninety- sixth annual report, covering the year 1950.
The total rainfall during the year amounted to 41.26 inches as measured on the gauge at the Lout Pond Station. This was about nine inches more than in 1949 but about four inches less than the normal amount.
The elevation of the water in Great South Pond on December 31, 1950, was 102.25, which was about the low point of the year. A reproduction of the chart showing the water levels during recent years is inserted with this report on a separate page.
The amounts received by the Town from the sale of water, connections to new mains, services rendered, etc., as reported by the Collector of Water Rates were as follows:
Rates
Labor
Misc.
Total
North of Stone Tank .
$48,445.60
$317.08
$633.25
$49,395.93
South of Stone Tank
14,767.37
518.00
1,050.00
16,335.37
$65,731.30
During the summer months the use of water was very heavy, causing large demands upon our sources of supply and the distribution system. For part of the summer it was necessary to restrict the use of water to essential purposes. The use of garden hose was limited to one hour per day and then only for watering food crops.
The greatest amount of water pumped at the Lout Pond Station in one day was 2,099,000 gallons on July 27th, when the pumps operated 201/2 hours.
The total pumped at the Manomet Station during about four months of operation was 26,129,000 gals., which was
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less than the 28,316,300 gals. pumped in 1949. The largest amount pumped in one day was 530,600 gallons, on July 29th.
NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS
After long consideration, the Board adopted new Rules and Regulations for the Water Department on December 12, 1950. It had been many years since they had been revised. They are now drawn to give effect to current practices and to establish certain definite requirements governing the operations of the Department. They have been printed, including Regulations of the Department of Public Health for the protection of our water supply ponds, and are available for distribution at the office.
Construction work during the year is separately tab- ulated.
Other appropriations under special articles were:
Deep Water Pumping Station-New Pump, $2,500.00
Contract for the new pump with new electric controls was awarded to the Warren Steam Pump Co. Installation was completed in January, 1951, and test runs were very satisfactory. Delivery per minute about 480 gals.
Lout Pond Station-Low Service Meter, $3,000.00
Contract was awarded to Corcoran Steam Specialty Co., for the new Venturi Tube, Totalizer, Indicator and Recorder. Some of the apparatus has been delivered but installation cannot be made until the Venturi Tube has been received and connected to the main from South Pond. This requires the construction of a large pit in which the connections will be made.
Lout Pond Station-Chlorination Equipment, $7,500.00
Contract for the Chlorinating apparatus was awarded to Builders, Inc., Providence. The High Service machine has been installed and is in operation. The Low Service apparatus is on hand but installation cannot be completed
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until the low service meter is installed, as the connections to the main for the chlorinator are to be made in the same pit as the Venturi Tube. The Neri Plumbing Co. was awarded the contract for the oil burner. The fabricated partition for enclosing the Chlorinating apparatus was purchased from Johns-Manville Co. Most of the work of installing the apparatus has been done or will be done by our own men, on the basis of plans prepared by Metcalf and Eddy, with outside help from masons, carpenters, etc., as necessary.
Carver Road-Engineering Report, $1,000.00
Metcalf and Eddy investigated this problem and have made a comprehensive report which is on file at the office of the Water Department. The Commissioners recom- mend a start toward solution of this problem by an investigation of a new source of supply, as called for under the special appropriation we are requesting for this purpose.
By-Pass Construction
The construction of the new by-pass by the Common- wealth has resulted in many changes in the water mains. We have had excellent cooperation in making these changes and in sharing the cost.
The line to the so-called Buckingham Tank was torn out and re-layed with new pipe under the new road at the expense of the Commonwealth. Service was main- tained by using the civilian defense pump which we have on hand for such emergencies.
The old 4" line on Summer Street, where the bridge has been built, was torn out and replaced with a new 8" pipe. The Town paid for the extension of our 8" main to the bridge but the excavation was paid by the State. The State also paid for the pipe across the bridge and for its insulation.
A new main was laid in Nathaniel Street, the Town
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furnishing the pipe and the State assisting in the cost of laying.
At the Meadow, a section of our main on the old westerly route was torn out and a new section of 12" main laid by the road contractor. The Town paid for the difference in cost between an 8" pipe and a 12" pipe.
The high and low service mains on Billington Street, near Deep Water, were replaced with new pipes all at the expense of the Commonwealth. These are the mains which supply the Town with all of the low service water and most of the high service which goes to the center and north parts of the Town. While the pipes were shut off at this point service was maintained and pressure kept up with the civilian defense pump referred to above, by cross-connecting with either the high or low service main, whichever was in operation.
At Sandwich Road, our pipes were removed and will be re-layed without expense to the Town. This pipe was in good condition and suitable for re-laying.
At River Street, the old pipe was removed and replaced with a new 8" pipe, the only cost to the Town being the difference in cost between a six-inch and an eight-inch pipe.
At Clifford Road the old main was removed while the construction for the bridge was in progress and then re-layed without expense to the Town. The old pipe was in good condition.
At Warren Avenue there were two mains, an eight-inch and a four-inch. These have been removed from about the Hotel Pilgrim to the Country Club, a distance of 2,090 feet, and replaced with a new 12" pipe without cost to the Town.
Where it is stated that work has been done without expense to the Town, it means without direct construc-
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tion expense. It has been necessary to have constant inspection while these changes were being made, covering both mains and service connection. This has been attended to by our regular men, as has the emergency pumping where and when necessary.
Special Articles
Exploration for new ground water supply and construc- tion of test wells. Appropriation requested, $3,000.00.
The South Ponds have been a very satisfactory and dependable source of supply for our water system since 1854 and will probably continue to do so for many years. During recent years the rapid growth and demand for water in the southern part of the Town made it neces- sary to develop an additional supply in Manomet. The well and pumping station built there have been most satisfactory and have furnished water in a quantity which would have been impossible to supply through the exist- ing mains from the center of Town.
There has also been a substantial increase in the de- mand for water in the northerly and northwesterly sec- tions of the Town. In times of heavy draft there is a considerable falling off in the water pressure in the mains, resulting in inconvenience to many water takers. Much of the building has been in the high areas, some of which can be supplied from the extra high service but many houses are not located where they can be supplied from that part of our distribution system. A larger and higher storage tank is needed near this territory.
There is also a demand for water for the many houses which have been and are being built on Samoset Street beyond our present mains, west of the new By-pass. This matter was carefully investigated by Metcalf and Eddy as authorized at the Town Meeting in March, 1950. The
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total cost of the work which they deemed necessary to take care of that section was estimated at $288,000.00.
We believe that the first step which should be taken toward solving the water problem for the areas above referred to, that is the northerly and northwesterly sections and the Samoset Street territory, is the search for a new source of supply of ground water. This is included in the recommendations of Metcalf and Eddy and in the opinion of the Water Commissioners is most desirable. If a satisfactory supply can be located some- where in the vicinity of Samoset Street or north of Samoset Street it will tend to reduce the demand on South Pond and on the long distribution mains which are now carrying the water all the way to the Kingston line.
After the supply has been located, the further steps as recommended by Metcalf and Eddy may be considered.
Construction of Water Main in Rocky Hill Road, $12,150.00.
This appropriation is asked for to construct about 2,160 ft. of 8" main on Rocky Hill Road in two sections, one northerly from the main which was built last year to connect with the present main at Warrendale Road, and the other section southerly to connect with the present main near the Priscilla Beach Theatre. These two con- nections would complete a "grid" around the Priscilla Beach area so that the cross mains would be connected to the supply mains at each end, and they would also furnish a second line to the rest of Manomet, from the Warrendale Road connection.
We understand that a new road surface is to be laid on this road and the water main should be constructed before this is done.
New Truck, $1,200.00.
To purchase a new truck in exchange for Ford Pickup, purchased September 25, 1946, estimated mileage 80,000.
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APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTED FOR 1951
Salaries
$22,453.40
Other Expenses Including Labor 40,447.90
Emergency
2,500.00
Other Items to be Separately Voted:
Air Compressor-Lout Pond Station
650.00
Hoists Over Engines and Pumps 900.00
Regular Construction 7,500.00
Special Articles: 1
Exploration for new ground water supply and construction of test wells
3,000.00
New Truck
1,200.00
Rocky Hill Road Construction
800 ft. Emerson Rd. to Priscilla
Beach Theatre $4,800.00
1,360 ft. Warrendale Rd. to
Charlemont Rd.
7,350.00
12,150.00
It is with deep sorrow that we record the death of C. Brooks Hudson on October 29, 1950. Mr. Hudson was elected to the Board of Water Commissioners on Novem- ber 3, 1943. He was deeply interested in the work of the Department and gave generously of his time and effort in service to the Town. His wide experience, practical knowledge and pleasant manner made him a valued member of the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD R. BELCHER, Chairman RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE, Secretary DANIEL F. MULCAHY ARTHUR ADDYMAN PETER R. BILLEY
Board of Water Commissioners
TABLE SHOWING LOCATION, SIZE AND COST OF PIPE LAID IN 1950 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATION
Location
Length
Size
Cost
Summer St., Boutemain Ave. to By-Pass
(Trenched by Commonwealth of Mass.)
774'
8"
$5,472
Summer St., across bridge (purchased by Comm. of Mass.)
90'
8"
Comm.
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