USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1959 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
Respectfully submitted,
HARRISON WITHERELL, Chairman SAMUEL W. BAKER, Secretary FRANK MERRILL CHESTER ROBERTSON
JOHN A. DUNN ERNEST C. FISHER
216
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Jax Collector's Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report for the year 1959. These figures are in agreement with the State Audit of January 24, 1959.
1954 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$6.19
Collected during year
.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$6.19
1955 Personal Property Tax
$72.60
Outstanding January 1, 1959 Collected during year
72.60
Outstanding January 1, 1960
none
1955 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959 Collected during year
00.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$56.68
1956 Poll Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
Collected during year
12.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$8.00
1956 Personal Property Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$15.10
Collected during year
5.10
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$10.00
1956 Real Estate Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$218.93
Collected during year
67.05
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$151.88
$56.68
217
Town of Rockland
1956 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959 Collected during year
$176.23
138.62
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$57.61
1957 Poll Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$82.00
Collected during year
16.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$66.00
1957 Personal Property Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$1,127.22
Collected during year
707.30
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$419.92
1957 Real Estate Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$19,383.64
Collected during year
19,339.79
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$43.85
1957 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$1,010.56
Collected during year
733.21
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$297.35
1958 Poll Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$148.00
Collected during year
54.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$94.00
1958 Personal Property Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959
$7,415.82
Collected during year
5,848.74
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$1,567.08
218
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
1958 Real Estate Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959 Collected during year
$96,217.52
80,533.60
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$15,683.92
1958 Farm Animal Excise Tax
$11.10
Outstanding January 1, 1959 Collected during year
11.10
Outstanding January 1, 1960
none
1958 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1959 Collected during year
$19,516,27
$15,587.63
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$3,928.64
1959 Poll Tax
Committed to Collector 1959
$6,424.00
Collected during year
5,860.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$564.00
1959 Personal Property Tax
Committed to Collector 1959
$95,934.01
Collected during year
87,925.54
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$8,008.47
1959 Farm Animal Excise Tax
Committed during 1959
$36.56
Collected during year
21.65
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$14.91
1959 Real Estate Tax
Committed to Collector 1959
$1,215,053.13
Collected during year
1,140,663.27
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$74,389.86
219
Town of Rockland
1959 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Committed during year 1959 Collected during year
$146,458.76
124,475.45
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$21,983.31
1959 Water Liens
Committed to Collector
$1,774.95
Collected during year
993.83
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$781.12
Estate of Deceased Persons
Committed to Collector 1959
$3,232.43
Collected during year
1,158.18
Outstanding January 1, 1960
$2,074.25
Trailer Parks Receipts
Committed to Collector 1959
$1,824.00
Collected during year
1,824.00
Outstanding January 1, 1960
none
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. DONOVAN,
Collector of Taxes.
220
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Report of the Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the Police Department of the Town of Rockland for the year ending December 31,1959.
Number of Arrests Year 1959 - 215
Male Female
Abroad in the Nighttime
1
Accosting
2
Adultery
1
Armed Robbery
3
Assualt and Battery
10
Assault and Battery with Dangerous Weapon 3
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
10
Destruction of Property
2
Disturbing the Peace
7
Drunk
57
4
Escapee
1
Forgery
1
Illegitimacy
2
Insane
3
4
Larceny
13
1
Lewd and Lascivious in Speech and Behavior 2
Motor Vehicle Violations :
Male Female
Allowing Improper Person to Operate 1
Disobeying Traffic Signal 2
Failing to Keep to the Right 1
Failing to Stop for Police Officer
1
Leaving Scene after Property Damage 8
Operating so as to Endanger 16
Operating under the Influence
23
1
Operating without a License 4
221
Town of Rockland
Operating after Revocation
1
Operating after Suspension 3
Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicles
1
1
Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle Speeding Using M. V. without Authority
4
3
69
1
Non-Payment of Fine
3
Non-Support
8
Possession of Obscene Pictures
2
Uttering
1
Vagrancy
1
Violation of Probation
3
136
9
Male
205
Female
10
Total
215
Miscellaneous
Automobile thefts investigated
6
Automobiles recovered
5
Automobile accidents investigated Personal injury
Fatal 2
46
Property damage
59
Bank alarms answered
17
Bicycles stolen or taken without authority
27
Bicycles recovered
25
Complaints investigated
4,110
Emergency notices, telegrams, etc. delivered
190
Fires reported
11
Miles traveled by cruiser
39,306
Trips to hospitals Stretcher cases
82
Number of automobiles stopped for violations
1,048
Number of operators reported to Registry
169
120
222
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Number of arrests for other police departments 18
Number of summons served for other
police departments 38
Parking violation tags 605
Missing persons 29
Store doors unlocked or open
173
Street lights reported as out 58
There have been few serious crimes committed in this town during the past year. All offenses have been inves- tigated and either prosecuted according to law or are still being investigated. I would like to call to the atten- tion of the people of the town that when they notice any- thing out of the way to call the police department. Many crimes may be prevented by a call of this type and this department will be only too glad to answer any such calls.
Many automobile operators have been stopped by members of this department for various traffic violations. The officers have been assigned to different locations around town to curb speeding and other violations. Op- erators have either been given verbal warnings, prose- cuted in court or reported to the Registry of Motor Vehi- cles. There has been a decrease in accidents. during the past year.
The two hour parking regulation has been enforced in the business district and many autos have been tagged. There does not appear to be the congestion that we have had in previous years.
The ambulance cruiser has been used frequently the past year. The department was presented with an Emer- son Resuscitator by the Old Colony Post #1788, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Rockland. This resuscitator was do- nated by the post in memory of Augustine (Gus) Ledwell who passed away last year. Mr. Ledwell was a past com- mander of the Old Colony Post #1788, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Rockland, and has been very prominent in veterans and town affairs for many years. The resusci- tator has been used on numerous occasions and has been
223
Town of Rockland
helpful in the service the police department has been able to render to the people of the town.
The department was presented a set of Annotated Laws of Massachusetts by Attorney Joseph F. Flynn of this town. The department appreciated this gift by Attor- ney Flynn very much. The set of laws are very helpful to the department and all town departments are welcome to use them as needed. A bookcase was purchased to contain this set of laws.
The two sergeants attended the Massachusetts Local Police Training School operated by the Massachusetts State Police at Framingham. This course was for ad- vanced training for ranking officers.
The Civilian Defense Auxiliary Police have been very helpful on numerous occasions during the past year. The members of this group have donated over one thousand hours of their own time to the service of the town.
Again I would like to call the attention of the citizens of the town to the need of a new police station. Our pre- sent quarters are very crowded and the lockup is quite antiquated and unsanitary. The department will be glad to have the people of the town inspect our present facil- ities and see the need of new quarters.
I wish to thank the members of the Finance Commit- tee, the Town, State and County officials and the citizens of the Town for their assistance and co-operation during the past year. I also wish to express my appreciation to the members of the department, the women school traffic officers and the auxiliary police officers for their fine work and co-operation in the affairs of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
ADOLPH L. JOHNSON
Chief of Police
224
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Report of the Dog Officer
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
Following is my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Licenses for the calender year 1959 totaled 849. These included 461 male dogs, 327 spayed female dogs, 49 female dogs and 12 kennel licenses.
Forty-one unlicensed dogs were destroyed after be- ing confined for ten days, as required by law, and not hav- ing been claimed by their owners.
All dogs three months old or over must be licensed. All 1959 licenses, regardless of when they were issued, expire on March 31, 1960 and 1960 licenses are due on April 1, 1960.
I wish to thank all who cooperated with me during the past year and in particular I wish to thank the Town Clerk, Registrars of Voters, members of the Police De- partment and the Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT J. LEDWELL
Dog Officer
225
Town of Rockland
Report of Visiting Nurse Association
To the Citizens of Rockland :
The following is the annual report of the Rockland Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1959.
Our full time nurses Miss Miriam Dexter, Miss Paul- ine Skarinka and the relief nurses made 3603 visits to 921 patients. Of this number 2539 visits were free, 472 paid in full and 791 were part paid. 31 different physi- cians requested the nursing service.
Both nurses attended the state sponsored In-service class at Foxboro State Hospital for treatment and care of the mentally ill. The Board has been represented at the Plymouth County Health Association meetings, at several of the Mental Health lectures, and at various meetings of the neighboring associations.
The $200. nursing scholarship was awarded to Miss Rosemary Walsh, a graduate of Rockland High School.
22 Well Child Conferences were held and 239 babies examined by the pediatrician Dr. Frances Inglee. 124 innoculations of Triple Antigen were given immunizing against Whooping Cough, Diphtheria and Tetanus.
The Associations sick room supplies are available to any resident of Rockland for use at any time.
The financial statement for the past year shows re- ceipts of $10,821.85 and disbursement of $10,604.10.
The Board of Management adheres to the first arti- cle in it's constitution, namely "The object of the Associa- tion is to give to the sick, especially those of limited means, the best home nursing under existing circumstances, and to teach the community sound public health regulations."
Respectfully submitted,
WINIFRED L. DAVIS
President
226
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Board of Health Report
The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Herewith is submitted The Annual Report of the Board of Health.
During the year 1959, the Rockland Board of Health held regular monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. At these meetings reports were made by the Food Inspector and by the Plumbing Inspector, and all current business was discussed and acted upon. Appli- cations received during the month were processed and if approved, permits or licenses were issued.
When an application is made for permission to con- struct or repair a sewage disposal system, it is necessary to bring in a plot plan showing the size of the plot, the lo- cation of the disposal system, the first floor elevation of any building, as well as the names of all abutters. At least two members of the Board will investigate and re- port their findings before a permit is issued. This permit must be procured before the Building Inspector may issue a building permit, and it is required before a plumbing application is accepted by the Plumbing Inspector.
All complaints of nuisances, and/or infractions of the rules and regulations of the Board of Health, should be directed to the Board of Health Office, rather than to in- dividual members of the Board. This is requested in or- der that proper records may be maintained and prompt and efficient action taken in investigation of the complaint, so that correction is made without delay. Nearly all of the complaints received during the past year were an- swered within twenty-four hours.
Proper Sewage disposal is becoming increasingly difficult to home owners both in old and new homes, all through the town, because of the saturated condition of the soil in this area. It is becoming increasingly more evi- dent that there is a very serious need for a Public Sewage Disposal System. This has been realized by the Board of
227
Town of Rockland
Health for many years, and it is our feeling that it has now reached a point where Public Sewage Disposal is a MUST.
The reason this is so, is that a private sanitary system, starting new is frequently ineffective in as short a time as one year after construction. There is an increasing a- mount of water used in private homes in particular, this waste water finds its way into the Sewage Disposal Sys- tem, and as a result the land becomes completely saturat- ed to a point where even an excellent private sewage system will fail to function properly.
As a result of a lack of a Public Sewage System, all the brooks and streams in this town are grossly contam- inated and polluted. This has been proven by actual tests, and this situation, of course, presents a serious health menace to our community. The number of new homes and new developments in sections of the town is rapidly increasing, and this will add to our already seri- ous sewage disposal problem.
Miss Gertrude M. Scott, a member of the Finance Committee, has been in attendance at most of the meetings of the Board of Health, and as she is on the staff of the Southeastern District Health Office, she has been able to assist our Board of Health in numerous ways. Miss Scott was assigned to the Board of Health by the Finance Committee at its first meeting in 1959.
The protection of the health of the residents of our town, especially the children, is an important function of the Board of Health, and on May 26, 1959, a meeting of all physicians in the town, was held in the Board of Health office to discuss the Polio situation. It was decided to hold a series of three Polio Clinics for the protection of the res- idents of Rockland. The vaccine was furnished by the Board of Health, under its Health and Hospital appro- priation, and the Doctors donated their services. The first clinic was held on Sunday morning, June 7th, in the Mem- orial Park School, and seven hundred and eighty-one residents of Rockland received first Polio shots. The sec- ond clinic was held on Sunday morning June 21st, at
228
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
which time seven hundred and forty-five residents re- turned for second injections. The third and final clinic will be held on the last Sunday in February 1960, at the same place and same hours. All the Doctors, without ex- ception, participated in this program, as well as an effi- cient group of nurses, clerical workers and a group of women from the Canteen Service of the Red Cross.
Rules and Regulations covering Day Care to Child- dren, in Kindergarten and Nursery Schools, have been compiled and published in the local paper. The printing of these rules on Day Care to Children, completes the new and revised rules and regulations of the Board of Health, and pamphlets covering these are available at the Board of Health Office.
A Toxoid Clinic was conducted this past year on March 11, April 1, and May 13th, under the direction of Dr. Lough assisted by the School Nurses. There were two hundred and forty-one (241) inoculations of Double Anti- gen given free to pre-school and first grade children. A parent or guardian of each child was required to sign a Consent Card before the inoculations were given.
During the year the following permits and licenses were issued :
Trailer Park License
1
Funeral Director License 4
Kindergarten License 3
Sewage Disposal System Permit 151
Garbage & Rubbish Collection Permit
4
Commercial Sewage Disposal Service Permit 4
There were reported to the Board of Health Office, twenty-one (21) premature births and the following com- municable diseases :
Chicken Pox
9
Dog Bites 68
Diphtheria 1
German Measles 1
Mumps 1
229
Town of Rockland
Scarlet Fever
7
Typhoid Fever
1
Cat Bites
1
Rabbit Bites
2
Dysentery-Bacillary
1
Measles
1
Salmonellosis
1
Tuberculosis
6
Whooping Cough 4
We would like to point out that all communicable diseases are reportable to the Board of Health. This is a State Law, and it is the duty of the householder as well as the physician to do so. These communicable diseases are reported by the Board of Health weekly to the State Department of Public Health, as well as to the District Health Office. The dog, cat and rabbit bites are also re- ported to the Inspector of Animals, Mr. Condon, who causes the animals to be restricted for a period of at least two weeks. If the animal has been destroyed, the head is brought to the State Laboratory by the Inspector of Ani- mals, for diagnosis. Mr. McCraith is in charge of the Sani- tation Department as well as the upkeep of the Town Dump, which is used more and more each year. An in- creased number of residents bring rubbish and waste ma- terial to the dump, and do not go to the rear of the area, although signs are posted asking users to do so. This causes an increase in the cost of the bull-dozer in keeping the entrance clear.
The three members of the Board of Health wish to thank the citizens of the Town of Rockland, who have helped to keep our Town clean and free from disease.
Respectfully submitted,
NORBERT F. LOUGH, M.D., Chairman MICHAEL F. McCRAITH WILLIAM F. ROBERTS
Rockland Board of Health
230
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
REPORT OF THE FOOD INSPECTOR
Gentlemen:
The following is my report for the year 1959.
There were over eleven hundred official inspections made of food handling establishments. Complaints were received and they ranged from foreign matter in canned goods to foods being served in an unsanitary manner. All complaints were investigated and where justified correc- tion was requested and action taken to have correction made.
Swab testing was carried out and proved most suc- cessful in determining the weakness in sanitary practices and quality of bactericidal used. There was a total of nineteen swab tests taken in the six cafeterias of the Rock- land School System. I am pleased to report that every one was excellent. Also, the managers and their assist- ants have done a good job to maintain a balanced diet under sanitary conditions.
As is customary, all milk and oleomargarine permits were issued in the month of May.
There was appropriated in 1959 the sum of $200.00 for Food Inspection expenses. This appropriation was ex- pended as follows:
Swab Testing
$150.00
License Books
13.63
Inspection Forms
30.75
Miscellaneous Supplies
2.45
Total expended
$196.83
In closing, I would like to extend my sincere grati- tude to each member of the Board of Health for their co- operation and support in helping me to fulfill my duties as Food Inspector for the Town of Rockland.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. DOYLE
Food Inspector
231
Town of Rockland
Report of Plumbing Inspector
Gentlemen :
Since January 1, 1959, I have issued one hundred and fifty-nine (159) Plumbing Permits. These permits are on file at the Town Office of the Board of Health. I have in- spected and approved these installations.
Five applications were received and I was forced to reject them for various reasons. I have investigated all complaints of violations of our Plumbing Rules and Regu- lations and disposed of them to the satisfaction of the Board.
The following plumbing fixtures have been installed in buildings in the Town of Rockland during 1959 :
Flush Closets
138
Bath Tubs
112
Lavatories
135
Kitchen Sinks
115
Hot Water Storage Systems and Tankless Heaters
126
Urinals
5
Shower Baths
5
Shampoo Sinks
9
Slop Sinks
4
Floor Drains
7
Automatic Washing Machines
78
Drinking Fountains
3
Other Plumbing Fixtures
4
Total Fixtures Installed
741
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN V. HOADLEY
Plumbing Inspector
232
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Report of Welfare Department
From : The Board of Public Welfare
RALPH MURPHY, Chairman of the Board H. BERNARD MONAHAN, Clerk of the Board ARTHUR H. MARKS, Member of the Board JOHN C. NORTON, Director of Public Assistance
To : The Citizens of Rockland
The Welfare Department administers to four cat- egories of assistance :
(1) OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Current case load - 212 cases. This is the largest category and the greater part of our budget is ex- pended on Old Age Assistance. The total amount for 1959 was $221,917.00. The Federal and State Governments reimburse the Town of Rockland for approximately 83% of the amount expended on Old Age Assistance.
(2) AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
The total amount of aid granted in 1959 was $41,708.00. The current case load - 29 families. The State and Federal Governments reimburse the Town of Rockland approximately 88% of the amount expended on Aid to Dependent Children.
(3) DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Current case load - 20 cases. A category of assis- tance for people eighteen years of age or older with a basic factor that the applicant be medically estab- lished as totally and permanently disabled. The to- tal amount of aid granted in this category was $24,364.00. The Federal and State Governments re- imburse the Town of Rockland 75% of this amount.
233
Town of Rockland
(4) GENERAL RELIEF
We have carried a very small case load in this cat- egory for 1959. The total amount of money expend- ed was $8,061.00.
In addition to the above amounts, we have paid to other towns for Old Age Assistance to people with Rockland settlements, the amount of $2,358.23. The amount of $1,534.33 was paid to other towns for General Relief granted to recipients with Rock- land settlements.
SUMMARY
Old Age Assistance continues to show a slight de- crease in the number of recipients. However, the total cost shows very little decrease due to the ever-increasing medical cost. Both Disability Assistance and Aid to De- pendent Children categories show an increase in numbers and an increase in the total amount spent.
The Director of Public Assistance attended the Civil Defense School at Topsfield, Massachusetts for one week in 1959 and was briefed on the duties of the Public Wel- fare Departments in case of enemy attack and the utiliza- tion of community resources by Civil Defense Welfare Services.
Direct grants to recipients were $162,286.00. The total amount paid for medical services was $95,793.14 in 1959.
The ever-increasing need for keeping records for the Federal and State requirements necessitates additional files each year and we are now in the position of being very badly in need of more space for the Welfare Department.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN C. NORTON
Director of Public Assistance
234
Eighty-sixth Annual Report
Report of the Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the building applica- tions for the year ending December 31, 1959.
During the year beginning January 1, 1959, I issued 180 building permits. Included were permits for new dwellings, additions, remodeling, alterations, one and two car garages, and miscellaneous buildings.
For the year of 1959, Rockland had a total of 124 new dwellings, 59 more than 1958, with an estimated construction valuation of one million, one hundred forty thousand, nine hundred eighty-two dollars and eighty cents. ($1,140,982.80)
All other permits issued for additions, etc., had an estimated construction valuation of one hundred forty- three thousand, nine hundred fifty-two dollars and thirty- six cents. ($143,952.36)
Total estimated construction valuation for the year was one million, two hundred eighty-four thousand, nine hundred thirty-five dollars and sixteen cents. ($1,284,935.16). The total estimated construction valua- tion for 1958 was $662,329.60. 1959 showed an increase in all building construction of $622,605.56. New dwelling construction valuation increased by $582,481.20 over the previous year, and all other type of construction increased by $40,064.36.
The Building Department of the Town of Rockland has been supported solely by the Building Inspector, over the past several years.
For the average five (5) room dwelling a building permit fee of $12.00 is charged; this building fee is divid- ed into three inspections :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.