USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1936 > Part 7
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Shields, Charles T., 42 Franklin Ave. Shoe Operative
Shurtliff, Alton E., 40 East Water Retired
Smith, Bartholomew J., 35 Stanton Shoe Operative
Sylvia, John E., 76 Albion Cigar Maker
Thompson, Earl F., 273 Howard Manager
Umbrianna, Michael, 35 Salem Shoe Operative
Vargus, Antone J., 215 Crescent Auto Supplies
Wallace, Earl, 231 Myrtle Truck Driver
Whiting, W. Alton. 455 Webster Shoe Operative
HARRY S. TORREY, NORMAN S. WHITING, JOHN J. BOWLER,
Selectmen of Rockland
.
Works Progress Administration
To the Board of Selectmen :
For the first time the Federal Emergency Relief Admin- tration has gone through a complete calendar year under one alphabetical designation-the W. P. A.
In the Town of Rockland during the fiscal year 1936 ac- tivities have progressed upon a predetermined plan and all the special projects voted in town meeting have been com- pleted with the exception of repairing Division Street. For some unknown reason the W. P. A. powers that be, re- frained from granting the project during the year. How- ever, presidential approval has now been received upon the project and work should start upon Division Street as soon as the man quota is available.
Other projects not started but which have received presi- dential approval include Extension of Rice Ave., Rebuild- ing of Douglas Street, Rebuilding of Plain St., from Reed St., to North Ave., Extension of Water Mains on Carey Court, Installing Water Holes, Development of Cushing's Pond, Federal Department of Commerce Approved Airway Marker, Tennis Courts in Memorial Park, Relocating Water Gate Boxes and Installing 7,000 lineal feet of Cement Curb and Sidewalks. Additional project proposals have been forwarded through proper channels upon which presiden- tial approval is expected and which cover a wide range of subjects.
Projects in operation, approved and applied for, should be sufficient to keep three times as many at work as the pre- sent man quota will permit up to June 30th which date ter- minates the Emergency Act unless Congress votes an ex- tention or new plans.
144
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
At the beginning of the municipal fiscal year there were 254 local people upon the W. P. A. pay roll and at the close of the year this number had been reduced to 178. This curtailment of quota is nation wide and the Fall River dis- trict office is continuing individual investigation and order- ing further curtailments. It is assumed that a definite pro- gram and man quota will be established very soon. There has been in operation during the municipal year twenty- nine different direct Town of Rockland projects. Upon these projects Federal paid labor totaling $195,058.05 has been paid. For the operation of these projects, the Town has expended $26,480.92 for materials, truck hire, admin- istration, etc. This is approximately 13 per cent of the Federal expenditure.
In addition to the foregoing a number of Rockland per- sons have been at work upon State supervised projects which include Traffic Research, Auto Census, Pre-School Unit, National Youth Administration, Commodity Distri- bution and Market Street Sidewalks. Market Street Side- walks was taken over from the State Bond Issue the middle of September and gave employment to approximately 100 persons. A fair estimate for Federal labor expenditure on state projects would exceed $30,000 which added to the lo- cal project expenditure would make a total of Federal labor expended in Rockland during 1936 of over $225,000.
Under the Rockland sidewalk project, nine thousand, three hundred and seven running feet of cement curbing has been installed.
Four thousand four hundred and twenty-seven feet has bituminous top, one thousand one hundred feet has one coat of bituminous and three thousand seven hundred and eighty has gravel top. On account of lack of available local funds it was considered advisable to place the concrete curbing without the black top and keep the men employed which was the intent of the W. P. A.
145
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
A tabulation of Federal and local expenditures in Rock- land by projects follows :
Rockland Projects
Amount Paid Town Paid For Federal Labor Materials etc.
*Sewing Unit
$43 678 82
$
64 52
Assessors' Map
16 639 02
868 42
Painting Caution & Parking Lines
201 45 60 20
Wild Cherry Tree Removal
1 740 00
4 10
Locating Street Bounds
5 296 78
12 25
Removing Dead Trees
5 197 00
Clean Open Drains
2 618 00
Gravel Walks Reed Park
5 848 50
Athletic Field Memoral Park
19 106 46
6 406 02
*Gravel Walks Memorial Park
7 953 66
2
Stanton Street Extension
2 846 28
258 08
*Household Aides
3 393 16
122 77
Rebuild Plain Street
6 921 20
1 232 11
Rebuild Wilson, Colby Curry Streets
4 896 00
654 68
Webster and Liberty Street Sidewalks
3 268 40
194 66
Paint High School Rooms
6 569 20
334 86
Water Main Salem St.
4 358 08
3 547 70
Cut and Trim Shade Trees
2 037 00
12 07
Covered Drain Liberty and Stanton Street
2 014 28
649 90
Covered Drains, Payson and Rice Ave. and Grove St.
2 458 35
220 60
*Assessors' Index
250 16
Dry Hydrant, Accord Pond
897 19
44 01
*Permanent Sidewalks
14 353 22
2 790 16
*Reed's Pond Development
17 391 61
1 039 22
*Forest St. Water Mains
5 294 43
3 281 31
*Public Recreation
2 672 28
71 51
*Paint High School Halls
2 192 69
890 16
146
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
*Covered Drains, Liberty St. at Custer St.
1 692 09 217 09
*Grantee-Grantor Index 1 825 23
* Project in operation at close of municipal year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED M. RYAN,
Local Coordinator
Highway Surveyor's Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I wish to report that all of the work covered by the vari- ous highway appropriations for the year 1936 has been completed.
This included sidewalks on Church Street, Liberty Street, Crescent Street, Howard Street, Plain Street, West Water Street, and Rice Avenue. New sidewalks were also built on Bigelow Avenue, and on Myrtle Street, between Ex- change Street and Bigelow Avenue.
A section of East Water Street, between John Lamb's store and the Rice and Hutchins factory was rebuilt under Chapter 90 in co-operation with the State and County.
New drains were put in on Liberty Street, from East Water Street to Vernon Street, also on Plain Street from Payson Avenue to Market Street. A drain was put in also on East Water Street from Everett Street to Cushing's Pond, and one on Rice Avenue.
New curbing was built on Liberty Street from Market Street to Vernon Street and on Webster Street from East Water Street to the Hanover line.
Respectfully submitted,
RODERICK MacKENZIE,
Highway Surveyor
Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I have, with my standards, weights and measures, tested and sealed all weighing and measuring devices which I have jurisdiction over, also several scales for private use.
Inspections and weighing of merchandise which is put up for sale and delivery were also made, also all gas meters were retested. The inspection and resealing of these meas- uring devices is an important item after sealing.
Frequently, inspection of all stores in town that have measuring devices are made. Computing scales need atten- tion as in many cases they are found to be incorrect. Ped- dlars increase yearly and I make sure all have proper li- censes. The town receives the fund from these licenses.
The oil meters on oil trucks are another item which have to be checked more carefully on account of the increasing sale of oil. At this time I am asking for an appropriation of seventy dollars ($70.00) for the purchase of a fifty gal- lon test can.
The duties of a Sealer of Weights and measures increase yearly and I am on call at all times. My duties are under State and Town regulations.
Below is an itemized account of the work I have per- formed for 1936.
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
149
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Platform over 5,000 1bs
1
4
Platform under 100 to 5,000 lbs.
10
39
Counter 100 lbs. or over
2
Counter under 100 1bs.
3
38
Beam over 100 1bs.
1
Beam under 100 1bs.
2
1
Spring over 100 1bs.
2
8
2
Spring Under 100 1bs.
19
62
Computing under 100 1bs.
13
56
2
Personal Weighing
8
Prescription
4
WEIGHTS
Avoirdupois
6 323
2
Apothecary
55
Metric
36
CAPACITY MEASURES
Liquid
102
1
Dry
6
AUTOMATIC MEASURING DEVICES
Oil Meters
1
6
3
Gasoline Pumps
28
8
Gasoline Meters
9
35
7
Kerosine Pumps
14
1
Oil Measuring Pumps
35
4
Quantity Measure on Pumps
13 191
Cloth Measuring devices
1
Yard Sticks
38
150
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
TOTAL UNITS SEALED
Total Units Sealed 1093
Weighing and measuring devices Adjusted 77
Weighing and measuring devices Condemned 4
Weighing and measuring devices Not Sealed 28
Sealing fees returned to Town Treasurer
$108 55
REWEIGHING AND REMEASURING
Number Tested 291
Number Correct 213
Over Weight 58
Under Weight
20
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD J. INKLEY
-
Park Commissioners' Report
Your Park Department expenditures under the regular appropriation amounted to $1,850.46, most of which was expended in Memorial Park for general upkeep, insurance repairs and supplies with labor receiving over eighty-five percent of the entire sum appropriated.
The Federal Government Project on the new major ath- letic field in Memorial Park on which work was suspended during the Spring was completed during the Summer and Fall with the exception of some final touching up and rolling of the running track, parking area and seeded ground.
The Federal Government Project at Major Reed Park was completed in the early Summer and we would encour- age everyone to visit this beautiful area where an outdoor fireplace and drinking water is available for picnicers.
The Federal Government provided several recreational supervisors under the direction of Mr. Norman Crosby so that we were able to have an entire Summer of supervised play for children and adults. More boys played baseball then ever before and soft ball, a new game to Rockland, became popular among adults. It appears now that the project will continue throughout 1937.
Plans for all Federal projects in your Parks will be pre- sented to the Finance Committee and to the town for their approval or rejection.
We are indebted to Mr. Christopher Murphy for the care of the area adjoining his home on Plain Street and to all men and women who have worked on the various Federal projects in our Parks.
DANIEL H. BURKE, PATRICK H. MAHONEY, CHARLES T. WALLS
Report of Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Chief of the Fire De- partment for the year 1936.
The Fire Department answered a total of 173 Alarms during the year, of which 114 were Still Alarms and 56 Bell Alarms, and 3 A. D. T. Calls; one to the Rockland Welt Co., and two to the E. T. Wright Co. We had 15 False Alarms, but the Alarms on July the 4th showed a de- crease. 14 of the Alarms were taken care of by the Chief's Car.
The Department used 8250 feet of 2 1-2 inch hose; 1850 feet of 1 1-2 and 7800 feet of Chemical hose. Also 825 gallons of Soda and Acid, 4 quarts of Pyrene; 2 1-2 gal- lons of Foam; 10 packages of Chimney Compound, be- sides the Pump Cans which were used 222 times. The Light equipment was used for 8 1-2 hours.
Engine Co. No. 1 and the Chief's Car with the Light unit was sent to aid Brockton; and the Chief's Car with the Light unit was also sent to help Abington, also aid was sent to Hanover. Our Cellar Syphon was loaned to Northamp- ton during the flood period. The Inhalator was used three times during the year. Twice in Hanover and once in Rockland. In two cases the person recovered but the third case was hopeless at the start.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
On account of rebuilding the road on Union Street the
153
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Fire Alarm was rebuilt from Pool's Corner to Union Square. It was also necessary to rebuild or change over the larger part of the System on Market Street from Lane's Corner to Spring Street, and also on Center Avenue. This was caused by the building over of the sidewalks and the moving of the poles to the opposite side of the street.
Some of our Fire Alarm boxes have about outlived their usefullness and they should be replaced with new ones.
APPARATUS
As the Apparatus has not been inspected for some time I believe that it should be done although everything ap- pears to be in good condition. The Triple Combination should be repainted this year and the tires on the Combin- ation should be replaced with new ones on the front.
The new Relief Valve which was installed on the Pump is a great improvement over the old one.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND REMARKS
For the year 1937 I recommend an appropriation of $10,800.00 which includes a new boiler for the heating system, the painting of the Triple Combination and the res- toration of pay cuts if approved by the town.
The appropriation of 1936 was overdrawn about $1,200.00 which is accounted for by the payroll of Call men of about $700.00 over the amount estimated, the rebuilding of Fire Alarm on Union and Market Street of $300.00; in- surance of $55.00; Oxygen and Testing of Tanks of $75.00; all of which no allowance was made for in the 1936 appropriation.
We are still trying to maintain the Fire Department on a smaller appropriation than was allowed when the Town had only 85 fires instead of 170 as at present.
154
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
CONCLUSION
In concluding this report I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Board of Water Commissioners and their em- ployees, also the Chief and members of the Police Depart- ment, for the help and co-operation given the Fire Depart- ment. I also wish to express my appreciation to the Of- ficers and Members of the Fire Department and to all oth- ers who have assisted me in the performance of my duty as Chief of the Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted, CLYSON P. INKLEY, Chief Rockland Fire Department .
REPORT OF FOREST FIRE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Forest Fire Warden for the year 1936.
This department answered 40 calls for Woods and Grass Fires during the year 1936, which was a decrease of 18 over the previous year.
None of the fires were of a serious nature and we were able to keep within the appropriation.
For the year 1937 I recommend an appropriation of $700.00.
Respectfully submitted,
CLYSON P. INKLEY,
Forest Fire Warden
Plymouth County Extension Service
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
During the last year Plymouth County spent $18,511. in assisting those engaged in various forms of Agriculture, the towns contributing a toal of $3,450.00 of this sum. Rock- land's appropriation was $150.00.
As a clearing house for up to date knowledge of Agricul- tural production practice, The Plymouth County Extension service takes a prominent part in maintaining taxable and in- vestment values in the land, buildings, stock and equipment used in the industry.
In addition to its standard program of Farm and home advice and assistance, including 4-H Club work with the boys and girls of the county, The Extension service handled the federal soil conservation and resettlement work here.
I believe we should continue to co-operate with the other towns of the county in maintaining and increasing the effici- ency of this public service.
I recommend an appropriation of $150.00.
JAMES D. MAHONEY,
Town Director
Report of Infirmary
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
I wish to present to you a report of activities and improve- ments which have taken place during the year 1936.
We have taken care of thirty-six inmates during the entire year, five women and thirty-one men.
Two deaths have occurred, both being males. We have had six in the hospital room.
Repainted the women's hallway and bed rooms. Also grained the wood work.
Raised one hundred and twenty-five bushels of potatoes, raised squash, milk, eggs and other small vegetables.
Placed new curtains where needed.
Respectfully submitted,
EARL WYATT,
Supt. of Infirmary
Report of Inspector of Animals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals and Stables for the year ending December 31, 1936.
Number of Stables inspected 35
Number of Cows inspected 110
Number of Swine inspected 160
Number of Goats inspected
10
Number of visits made in Inspections
84
Number of Dogs quarantined
11
Number of Cows quarantined
9
Number of visits made to premises of quarantined animals 91
Number of animals sent to Divisions of Livestock Disease Control for Laboratory Test
1
I recommend an appropriation of $150.00
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM T. CONDON,
Inspector of Animals and Stables
Report of Trustees of Memorial Library
The Trustees of the Memorial Library submit the follow- ing report for the year 1936.
Several improvements were made in the building. The floors were shellaced, the work being done by Mr. Hol- brook. The waterpipes, which were worn out, were replac- ed by brass pipes at a cost of $72. As the stack room was never adequately heated, two additional radiators were in- stalled. The expense was $114.25.
For nearly nineteen years, Mr. John A. Martin was jan- itor of the building. That his interest in the library never ceased, even after his retirement, was shown by a legacy of $100 to the library. This was deposited in the Rockland Savings Bank as a trust fund, the interest to be used, ac- cording to instructions, for the purchase of books.
Other gifts received were $5 from the Rockland Woman's Club and $6.55 from the Junior Mothers' Club. The Trustees are appreciative of these gifts and thank the don- ors.
Withdrawals of interest from the trust funds were :
Hattie Curtis Fund
$ 15 59
Alice L. French Fund
6 82
Zenas M. Lane Fund
14 14
Everett Lane Fund
4 50
Mary A. Spence Fund
15 44
Sarah J. Spence Fund
8 91
John W. Rice Fund
1 00
159
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Charles Edwin Vinal Fund
29 01
Mothers' Mutual Improvement Society Fund 1 32
$ 96 73
The Trustees take pleasure in testifying to the interested and capable service rendered by the librarian and her assis- tants, and by the janitor in the care of the building and grounds. For information regarding the circulation of books and magazines, exhibits, and special service, the cit- izens are referred to Mrs. Clark's report which follows this one.
Owing to the decrease in the dog refund from $593.61 to $447.34, the Trustees advise for 1937 besides the dog refund an appropriation of $4200.
The terms of Francis J. Geogan and Emma W. Gleason expire in 1937.
FRANCIS J. GEOGAN, JOHN B. FITZGERALD, BURTON L. CUSHING, ANNIE E. McILVENE, EMILY F. CRAWFORD, EMMA W. GLEASON,
Trustees
Librarian's Report
To the Trustees of the Rockland Memorial Library :
The fifty-eighth report of this library is herewith sub- mitted.
160
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
A total of 58,907 books and magazines have been loaned for home use.
The average monthly circulation, 4,909. The average daily circulation, 200. Largest number delivered in one day, 431. Smallest number delivered in one day, 75.
Received for fines, reserved books, subscriptions from non-residents, sale of cook books, old magazines and books, $303.00.
Number of books added by purchase (including replace- ments), 384. Number of books presented, 39. Number of books worn out and missing, 142. Number of books re- bound 141. Number of books in library on December 31, 1936, 20,278.
Character of books loaned : literature, 4 per cent; his- tory and travel, 4 per cent; biography, 3 per cent; miscel- laneous (adult), 5 per cent; fiction (adult), 53 per cent; fic- tion (juvenile) 13 per cent; miscellaneous (juvenile) 6 per cent; magazines, 12 per cent.
Our town reflects the present economic conditions, more work, less time for the companionship of books. It is a nor- mal reaction, and all public libraries have been losing in cir- culation as the world began to recover from the depression. The largest increase in the use of books has always come during the years when business activities have been lowest. Another factor, no doubt, for changed statistics, is the place the commercial rental library has come to play in the community.
However, a brief analysis of the figues of our circulation shows interesting growth in the case of certain classes of books, and these figures are very useful in directing where the emphasis should be placed in book buying in general.
161
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
The library cannot begin to supply the demand for the latest technical books, nor the latest discoveries in science, business, the theatre, or even government.
We note an increase in quiet recreational and serious reading with a more critical attitude in the choice of mater- ial. The demand is marked for books about public issues and public personalities, for new social and industrial ideas, and for opinions of the leading minds of the day. There is a noticeable increase in the use of reserved books and of the magazine collection.
Workers in various projects consulted the children's books for ideas, and reference books are continually in use by high school and college students, with an increasing indication of adult use, stimulated by adult activities.
Parents and teachers are aided in selecting educational and recreational reading and we have done our best in sug- gesting the "next best" when the book called for is not available. When this proves unsatisfactory we refer the patrons to larger libraries, or make use of the inter-library Loan System, and borrow from the Boston Public Library and the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries.
Classroom libraries are still sent to our graded schools, upon request, and early in the year books that were con- sidered hard to read were sent to the High school where they were introduced to the students through their Eng- lish instructor.
A new and revised certificate list has been compiled and circulated by the Division of Public Libraries. This read- ing for certificate has been revived somewhat this year and is active in the lower grades. It is a great step towards making better citizens when we get children to read more and better books. The broader the interest of an individ- ual, the better he fits into society. Books that have been
162
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
most successfully filmed are most frequently asked for in the children's room.
More books were rebound by commercial binders this year, and the staff has given "first aid" treatment to a larg- er number than usual.
Many minor exhibits have proved attractive to our pub- lic, and seasonable books were displayed, in connection with these exhibits.
Many gifts have been of real practical help in providing reading matter at a time when funds have been somewhat decreased and demands often increased. Special mention should be made of the generous gifts of money from the Rockland Woman's Club and the Mothers' Club of Rock- land.
The improvement in the radiation of heat from the newly installed radiators in the stack room is greatly appreciated. The amount expended is offset by comfort and enjoyment.
Upon request from the C. C. C. Camp at Fort Ethan Al- len, Vermont, where many Rockland young men are station- ed, popular books of fiction were collected and sent to them. A very gratifying letter of appreciation was received in re- turn and an earnest hope that more books might be for- warded later, as the need is great where so many are con- gregated.
Our thanks are extended to the editor of the local paper and the correspondent for the Brockton paper for their courtesies.
The achievement of the staff deserves hearty thanks, and the librarian takes pleasure in acknowledging constant sup- port of the Trustees.
163
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Our hope is to gain friends for the library each year. Through the willingness to give ever increasing service, may we build up a capital of good will.
There remains much to anticipate and to accomplish.
Respectfully submitted, LIDA A. CLARK,
Librarian
Assessors' Report 1936
The Assessors have assessed the sum of $338.969.75 upon the Polls and Property subject to taxation in the Town of Rockland and have committed said sum to the Collector for collection.
Number polls assessed 2585
Value real estate assessed $5 725 669 00
Value land assessed 1 542 980 00
Total values real estate including land
$7 268 649 00
VALUE PERSONAL PROPERTY
Value of stock in trade $177 140 00
Value of live stock 13 800 00
Value of machinery 205 895 00
Value of all other personal
425 158 00
Total value tangible personal property
$
821 993 00
Total valuation real and personal property
8 090 642 00
Town appropriations $510 314 38
County Tax 14 871 58
State Tax 13 100 00
State Parks & Reservations
143 51
Water Department (used in Estimated receipts )
Overlay
32 000 00 ยท 9 334 54
$579 764 01
165
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
$ 21 240 60
Corporation Tax
7 013 98
Race Track Distribution
524 00
Motor Vehicle Excise
8 925 09
Licenses
680 00
Fines
1 75
Federal Grant Rebuilding Union Street 28 500 00
Notes or Bonds Rebuilding Union Street
35 000 00
Water Tank Federal Grant
30 000 00
Notes or Bonds Water Tank
40 000 00
General Government
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