USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1962 > Part 39
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An access program has been established by the Com- mission to acquire land to our seashores and great ponds for the purpose of rights of ways. The work is very time- consuming and many hours are needed in checking titles and land deeds. At the present time a tentative plan is being made for the purchase of land at Long Pond with the copperation of the residents in the area.
The Commission has requested that tax title lands which would be of benefit to the Commission be removed from the auction list and be retained. We have asked that three parcels of land be conveyed to the Commission at the next annual Town Meeting; one parcel of land at White Horse Beach for the purpose of a right of way to the seashore; one wood lot at Little Micajah's Pond; and one wood lot on the Long Pond Road near Hedges Pond.
The services of a part-time secretary have been ob- tained to help in the burden of clerical work. With this assistance much of our work can be speeded up. It is our
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hope that in the near future information on the activities of the Commission and listings of the Town's natural resources will be available to those interested.
The Commission wish to express their sincere appre- ciation to the Selectmen and other Town Departments for their helpful cooperation.
Respectfully yours,
Plymouth Conservation Commission DONALD O. TRACY REGINALD J. MAROIS EDWARD W. BURGESS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ZONING AGENT Albert F. Saunders
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is the annual report of the Zoning Agent for 1963:
1353 Calls made on Zoning and Planning Re- quirements
3 Inspectional Reports requested by the Se- lectmen
2 Zoning violations referred to the Board of Selectmen for enforcement
33 Referrals to the Zoning Board of Appeals for variances
173 Zoning complaints of violations investigated
173 Zoning complaints of violations corrected without court action
FENCE VIEWER AND FIELD DRIVER
8 Fence viewing investigations
3 Field driving investigations
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT F. SAUNDERS
Zoning Agent
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit a report of the work done in the Street and Sewer Departments from January 1 to Decem- ber 31, 1963:
SEWERS
Approximately five miles of our main sewers were dragged, removed tree roots, debris and hard grease. House connections received the same service when need- ed. Manholes were repaired and cleaned with new frames and covers replaced on several old manholes. Twenty-four house services have been added to the main sewer system in the Town of Plymouth. The outfall sewer at Robbins Road was blocked with sand and mud causing sewage to run on the shore. 550' of 12" cast iron pipe was excavated and cleaned and later replaced. A broken section of this sewer line was replaced with fifteen feet of new 12" cast iron pipe and one manhole built. The outfall sewer line at the rear of Boyer's property on Sandwich St. was cleared and a new manhole constructed.
STREET CLEANING
A new 1963 four and one-half cubic yard motor pick- up street sweeper with cab less trade-in of the 1959 sweep- er was purchased for $6,000.00. The Elgin motor pick-up sweeper cleaned one thousand six hundred thirty six curb miles from May to November. The main street from Jabez Corner to Seaside Line is swept each day including the waterfront from Main St. Ext. to Town Wharf. The side streets in town and the north end are swept every other day. The hand sweeping of the heavy winter sand was done during the spring months. A hired sweeper was contracted during March and April until the arrival of the new sweeper which was delivered on May 8, 1963.
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ASPHALT SIDEWALKS
The maintenance and construction of asphalt side- walks were completed on the following streets: Court St. at the Green Thumb, Court St. at Henry Busi's, Court St. at Dr. Duby's, Court St. at Rossi Fruit Store, Sandwich Street on the west side from Mt. Pleasant St. to Bay View Ave., Sandwich St. on the east side from County Auto Supply Co. to Winter St., corner of Stephens and Sandwich Sts., Standish Ave. at Hall St., Standish Ave. on east side from #189 to #203, North Park Ave. at the Information Booth, west side on Knapp Terrace, curbing raised in front of Maybury property on Newfield St. and new sidewalk laid to hold water back coming from driveway of nursing home, Hall St., south side, from Standish Ave. to Court St. Necessary repairs were made on sidewalks where surfaces had tree roots and stumps removed by the Tree Department. The usual amount of black top sidewalks was not completed this year on account of the hot-mix plant in Brockton having burned completely in August.
DRAINS
A drain was installed on the north side of Alden St., going north on West Street to Rodman Lane, a dis- tance of 524' of 15" reinforced concrete pipe and 320' of 12" reinforced concrete pipe with five catchbasins built to take care of drainage on West St., Rodman Lane and Alden St. The department was permitted to lay a drain on Cochituate Road through the property of Julian L. Lanctin, John B. Butler and Joseph L. Crateau to Emerson Road, a distance of 524' of 15" plain concrete pipe and 380' of 12" plain concrete pipe and four catchbasins to take care of surface water coming from Emerson Road to prevent flooding of these proper- ties. The old stone culvert under Sandwich St. at Nook Road was replaced with a 48" metal arch culvert and a new head wall built on Nook Road end. This new drainage
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was necessary to correct surface water coming off Nook Road and Plymouth-Carver High School property. The contract for this work was awarded to Del Prete Const. Co. of Rockland at a cost of $6,677.90.
The open brooks at the rear of Samoset St., rear of Hatch's Electric Company on Court St. and the drain pipe at McNamara property on Court St. were cleared and all pipes received a flushing. The service of hired catchbasin cleaning equipment was used this year on basins that needed special cleaning. Other catchbasins throughout the town were cleaned and repaired by the department.
FENCES
On the east side of Royal St., 240' of four foot chain link fence was installed and repairs to the chain link fence at the corner of Newfield St. and Jackson Lane were completed by the Reliable Fence Co. of Norwell, Mass. A number of cement posts made by the department were set-up as follows: ten on Route #44, twelve on Nook Road and fourteen at the Plimoth Plaza. Several cement posts have been replaced having been knocked down from automobile accidents.
HY. CONSTR. & RECONST.
The following streets were paved with a 21/2" Type I mix over the old road surface consisting of a 11/2" base and a 1" top: Alden St. Ext., Braunecker Road, Cooper St., Hall St., Robbins Road, Grey Ave., Cole's Lane, Brookside Ave., Russell St., Gould Rd., Rodman Lane and Emerson Road. The following streets were resurfaced with a mixed-in-place top of gravel and as- phalt 3" in thickness: One mile of Bourne Road, 2000 feet of Cape Cod Ave., 1200 feet of Reed Ave., 1200 feet of Burgess Road, 1700 feet of Bartlett Road from the end of the tar road to the Cranberry Bog. A section of Bartlett Road from the Cranberry Bog to the Indian Cem-
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etery, 2400' in length and 22' in width was completed by Del Prete Const. Co. of Rockland. Drainage work included the laying of 330' of 18" reinforced concrete pipe and 50' of 12" reinforced concrete pipe and four catchbasins built with one concrete headwall at Bartlett Pond. A gravel base 4" in depth was graded and rolled with a 3" mixed-in-place top. The following roads received a seal coat of 1/4 gallon of asphalt per sq. yd. and covered with sand: Seaview St., Park Road, Nick Rock Road, two miles of Long Pond Road and one mile of Rocky Pond Road.
CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION
Beaver Dam Road, from the property of James McNary to Oliver DeLancey, a 21/2" base and 1" top of Type I was laid. All slopes were graded, loamed and seeded and 140-6'6" triangular cement posts were placed at the top of the deep slopes by the contractor. A fourth contract will be awarded in 1964 for the continuation of Beaver Dam Road improvement. The State contributes 50%, County 25% and the Town 25% for this type of road construction.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
The State, County and Town share one-third of the cost on the following maintenance of streets: Red Brook Road at Plymouth-Wareham line was paved with 558.35 ton of Type I, 11/2" in depth, Westerly Road, Route #44 to Summer St., 248.6 tons of Type I, 11/2" in depth, Route #44 from Westerly Road to Royal St., 101.35 tons of Type I, 11/2" in depth and Federal Furnace Road from Seven Hills Road to Plymouth Electric Light Co. sub-station, 202.65 tons of Type I, 11/2" in depth.
CHAPTER 782-ACTS OF 1962
A grant from the State allotment was accepted at the March town meeting for $43,588.20 under provisions of Chapter 782 of the Acts of 1962. The following roads were
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improved with a Type I surface: Arlington Road 1400', Forest Ave. Ext. 2140', and Water Street 1992'. Nook Road was widened and brought to grade with gravel and 80' of 12" plain concrete pipe was installed with four catchbasins built. The road was surfaced with 11/2" base and 1" top of hot mix. Loaming, fertilizing and seeding of slopes will be done in the spring of 1964 with a four- foot sidewalk on the south side. Westerly Road and Thrush Avenue remain to be completed under these funds.
GRANOLITHIC CURBING
Louis Cotti & Sons, Inc. submitted the lowest bid for the construction of cement curbing as follows: Taylor Ave., east side, 870', Hall St., south side, 865' and Phoenix Court, south side, 97'.
TRAFFIC AND STREET MARKING
Traffic lines were painted yellow and white this year to conform with the new State traffic regulations. White crosswalks were painted in the spring and fall with sev- eral additional crosswalks requested to be painted by the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. It was necessary to replace many meter posts that were broken off and damaged by trucks and cars. Through the coop- eration of the Special Traffic and Parking Study Com- mittee and Board of Selectmen, the department pur- chased a Heat Lamp Applicator or sign-making ma- chine for all types of signs to be made in the future by the Highway Dept. An extensive engineering study by the Traffic Engineering Department of the Middleboro Dept. of Public Works, recommends that all present warning, regulatory and guide signs be replaced at once with new signs to meet the new State regulation. This new ruling has been carried out this year with the depart- ment making and erecting the following: 57 stop signs, 9 parking lot signs, 22 school signs, and 18 no-parking signs. The 1964 appropriation will provide for more of these old signs to be replaced according to State regu- lations.
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MISCELLANEOUS
A new 1963 International dump truck with a four-yard body with no trade-in was purchased by the department. A nine-foot snow plow was acquired and is used on the new International truck. Eel River and Bartlett Brook were cleared of sand and stones washed in from the high tides of the northeast storms. Hired equipment by a local contractor was engaged three times to clear Bartlett Brook and twice for Eel River at the ocean end.
Eel River at River Street had a heavy growth of turf, brush and willow trees dug out to prevent further blockage of the river at the bridge. A section approximate- ly 100' long, 75' wide and 4' deep was cleared by the Plymouth Equipment Leasing Co.
The work in the Manomet, Long Pond and Cedarville districts have been carried out satisfactorily by the dis- trict foreman. The cutting and burning of brush, gravel- ling, widening of bad corners, snow and sanding, scraping of dirt roads and applications of calcium chloride to lay the dust, were all given proper attention.
The requests from the Selectmen's Office and other town departments were taken care of as received at the office.
Newly accepted streets by the town have been bounded by the Town Engineer with bounds made by the Highway Department.
Permits to dig up and open the ground were issued to the local gas company and private contractors who properly guarded and lighted all excavations.
Lines and grades for street, drain and sewer work have been supplied by the Town Engineer, Edward Chase, and records of same filed at his office on Lincoln Street.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER C. CHANDLER
Supt. of Streets and Sewers
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The members of the Board of Public Welfare on Janu- ary 1, 1963, were: John J. Magee, Chairman; Margaret E. McLean; Francis H. Murphy; Paul Withington; and Wil- liam B. Stearns, Jr. At the 1963 Town Election, William B. Stearns, Jr. was re-elected.
At the organizational meeting of the Board held fol- lowing the Town Election, John J. Magee was re-elected Chairman, and Francis H. Murphy was elected Delegate- at-Large to the Town Meeting. Allen B. Wood, Director of Public Assistance, was re-appointed Secretary of the Board.
The 1963 appropriation for public assistance amounted to $463,000.00. There was income in the amount of $14.71 from the Murdock Fund. The Federal Government par- ticipates in all categories of assistance except General Relief. Federal Grants are advanced to the Town by the Commonwealth, and are available to be used in addition to the appropriation. The total expenditure for assistance in 1963 was $816,033.73 compared to $803,872.83 in 1962. Federal funds in the amount of $368,171.71 were available leaving $447,862.02 to be expended from the appropria- tion. The share of the Commonwealth will be approxi- mately $262,399.38, and approximately $7,231.53 will be received from other towns and cities, leaving $178,231.11 as the net cost to the Town. While the total expenditure for assistance increased by $12,161.20 over 1962, the expen- diture for medical care increased by $25,938.26. Medical care acounted for 42% of the cost of public assistance in 1963.
Recoveries totalling $12,331.39 were made in 1963. Of this amount, $10,354.43 was recovered on Old Age Assis- tance real estate liens.
Old Age Assistance accounted for 39.5% of the pay- ments for assistance. The year opened with 280 cases
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being aided in this category. The case load decreased during the year as has been the case for the past few years, and the year closed with 261 cases receiving aid.
Medical Assistance for the Aged accounted for 23.8% of the payments for assistance. The year opened with 92 cases receiving aid. The case load increased steadily as has been the case since this program started in October, 1960. The year closed with 118 cases receiving aid.
Aid to Families with Dependent Children accounted for 19.8% of the payments for assistance. The year opened with 81 cases consisting of 60 parents and 196 children receiving assistance. The case load rose during the year, and the year closed with 95 cases consisting of 72 parents and 246 children receiving aid.
Disability Assistance accounted for 9.8% of the pay- ments for assistance. The year opened with 58 cases receiving aid. The case load decreased slowly during the year, and the year closed with 51 cases receiving aid.
General Relief accounted for 7.1% of the payments for assistance. The year opened with 57 cases consisting of 146 persons receiving assistance. The low point came in October with 45 cases consisting of 99 persons receiving assistance. The year closed with 58 cases consisting of 137 persons receiving aid.
Because of the many problems involved in cases re- ceiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children, two of our five social workers are assigned to this category; and a large part of the time of our Director of Public Assist- ance is also taken by this category of assistance. However, 63.3% of our expenditures for assistance were for persons over sixty-five in the categories of Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance to the Aged.
The 1963 appropriation for salaries and other admin- istration was $31,984.00. The total cost of salaries and
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other administration was $50,648.94, which is less than 6% of the total expenditure of the Department. Federal funds in the amount of $28,547.08 were available, leaving $22,101.86 to be expended from the appropriation. The share of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be approximately $9,107.99, leaving a net cost to the Town of Plymouth of $12,993.87. A change in the manner of ad- vancing federal administrative grants resulted in the Town receiving federal grants for an extra quarter in 1963.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. MAGEE, Chairman MARGARET E. McLEAN FRANCIS H. MURPHY PAUL WITHINGTON WILLIAM B. STEARNS, JR.
OFFICE OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
With the average age of the World War I Veterans being 65, the World War II at 43 and the Korean Veteran but a few years younger, the predictions of both Veteran periodicals and service organizations proved most true in 1963. The demand on Veterans' Services is directly pro- portional to the Veterans' ages.
In 1963, twenty-three new non-service connected dis- ability pensions were processed resulting in awards of $12,735.00 in tax free monies in the hands of Plymouth Veterans. These same dollars in 1964 will be expanded to $26,948.00 due to eligibility of these persons for a full twelve months of benefits. Processing of these applicants becoming eligible in 1964 and succeeding years will be of
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prime importance. Procurement of not only these pen- sions but also of other benefits for the Veteran is one of the most important functions of the office for it brings into Plymouth many added dollars to be spent primarily on the local market.
Additionally, with the extension of GI loan applica- tion periods for the Veteran, there was additional proces- sing work for the department. A total of 618 Veterans and/or dependents were served solely in matters of in- surances, pensions, compensations, loans and other GI rights.
In the matter of administration of Veterans Benefits (a Commonwealth and Town-shared function) 158 appli- cations were handled servicing 455 Veterans and/or their dependents. This was approximately a 20 per cent increase over 1962. Again the problem of advancing age of the Veteran with his "out of work" days related to his age indicates a future period of increased expenditures. It is sincerely felt that the average war Veteran indeed wants to work but is finding less work due to his advancing age. The cooperation of the various Towns' Departments and Businessmen in utilizing services of employable Vet- erans is indeed appreciated by these men who are proud of being called VETERANS.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES C. HENDERSON Director of Veterans' Services
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PLYMOUTH COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
In reporting on the project's activities and accomplish- ments in 1963, there have been several advances made toward the project's number one objective; Namely, the drainage of infected wetlands known to contain species capable of transmitting encephalitis or other virus.
The Eastern equine encephalitis continues to be vital to southeastern Massachusetts, as research in this area shows virus activity is yet present in wild birdlife. We hope we have been instrumental in the fact that there have been no human cases of this virus reported during the last six years. We will continue to emphasize the locat- ing and treating of breeding sites of the vector species of mosquitoes.
The ditch reclaiming phase of control continues to be the best investment in a long range control program. It not only eliminates sources of breeding, but gradually reduces the repeated costly applications of insecticides. Our power-trencher has been concentrating on inland town problems during the warm weather months. Nearly a month was spent with our back-hoe on the Saquish marshes, reclaiming approximately four miles of salt marsh ditches. Several other drainage problems were solved in conjunction with your highway department, as were others in inland waterways, working with our power-trencher and hand labor. I feel we can accomplish more in our coastal salt marshes during the cold weather periods, utilizing the frost in the ground for greater buoy- ancy in these areas. Weather permitting, our power unit will be operating the year round.
Aerial spraying for adult mosquitoes is important where a serious nuisance develops and immediate results are necessary. Control of this type is temporary and costly. The project was not designed to expend large
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sums on this type of control, yet we find it a valuable supplement to our long range efforts. The increasing trend toward outdoor living during the vacation season has added tremendous pressure on the project for temporary control with our five truck-mounted units. We are finding it impossible to satisfy each individual property owner, as we are not set up financially for this type of operation. Our weekly larval inspections and treatment of filter systems, sewage areas, dumps, public parks, ball fields and public gatherings were seriously hampered by in- creased requests for back yard spraying this past season.
We are cooperating with the newly organized Pesti- cide Board, and adhere to all State and Federal rules and recommendations as regards pesticides.
Our sincere thanks to your town officials, and your Tree, Health and Highway Departments for their splendid cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
M. CURRIE BEATON, JR. Superintendent
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ANNUAL REPORT OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSION
The Park Department was able to carry out its 1963 program with top efficiency and encountered no major problems.
Repairs due to vandalism continued to be a problem of uncertainty and the department continued to cooperate its efforts beyond that prescribed in the department's operational budget. Early morning snow plowing at the Plymouth-Carver Regional High School, working on the preparation of the town's Christmas program, preparing the areas for the Holy Ghost Fiesta and the State Softball Tourney and other items of minor nature are included among the accomplishments of the 1963 season.
The Commission does not contemplate any capital outlay for 1964 but seeks only to care, maintain and pro- tect what it has under its jurisdiction at the present time.
Evidence that the department operates on a close and tight budget comes from the December 31st records of the Town Accountant to the effect that the following amounts were returned to Excess and Deficiency for 1963:
Temporary Help $3.79
Labor 239.06
Equipment .50
General Administration
2.66
Floodlights, Stephens Field 1.49
The Park Department maintains, cares and operates under its jurisdiction sixteen (16) parks, eight (8) play- grounds, five (5) bathing beaches, two (2) picnic areas, two (2) camp grounds, and sixteen (16) buildings. The department cooperates with other departments in the care and maintenance of the public parking lots at Main St. Extension and Middle Street; the traffic islands at Shir-
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ley Square and the Town Wharf; Depot Park; and the town shore property opposite the Mabbett Mill.
Total expenditures of this operation for 1963 were $75,222.24.
Total receipts taken in by the Park Department dur- ing 1963 from persons other than Plymouth residents and Plymouth taxpayers was $24,378.15.
This denotes 32.4% of the entire budget is returned in cash receipts, such receipts being turned back to Excess and Deficiency.
The figures also denote that the actual overall cost to the Town of Plymouth for its complete Park Department operation is but $50,844.09 for 1963.
The Commission and the Department wish to thank all those who extended help and cooperation to the de- partment through 1963 and hope such cooperation will continue in force.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER B. HASKELL, Chairman
O. ARRIGO GUIDOBONI JOHN W. SEARLES EDWARD J. E. HAND ANTHONY V. PIOPPI
Board of Park Commission
ARTHUR W. SIRRICO, Supt.
MRS. MILDRED DENNEHY, Clerk
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARIES Fifth Annual Report - 1963
Dr. Charles C. Forman, President
Mr. Peter R. Billey, Vice President Miss Sara C. Bodell, Clerk Mr. Walder J. Engstrom, Treasurer
Mr. Warren M. Axford Mrs. A. Linwood Ellis, III
Mrs. Robert B. Bowler
Mrs. Roland Holmes
Mrs. William Brewster
Mr. Edgar J. Mongan
Miss Rose Briggs
Mrs. John W. Packard Mr. John A. Smith, Jr.
Your libraries are in healthy condition, and slight gains can be seen in the statistics both for number of borrowers and books circulated. Your continued interest may be attributable to the fact that books have more eye appeal with large format and beautiful illustrations. We are grateful for the additional money from State Aid, which has enabled us to buy more expensive books, not necessarily a greater number. Two memorial funds for purchase of books have been deposited with the Corpora- tion in the name of Mrs. Alice Christian Christmas by bequest of Gen. John K. Christmas and for Nancy Parker (Mrs. Stanley B.) by her relatives and friends. Gift books in memory of deceased members were given by the Woman's Club and the Garden Club.
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