USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1940 > Part 6
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Bl. 17817- Unit operated in Narragansett Blvd. and en- tailed the excavation of 2100 ft. of roadway 24 ft. wide to a depth of 12 in., refilled with gravel in 2 courses each rolled then stabilized with tar, also the construction of 3880 l. ft. of sidewalk 8 ft. wide gravelled 6" and rolled. 360 ft. of block curb in place at corners. The estimated contributory cost $4696. Actual values incorporated in the project $4671.70. Equipment $2699.63, material $1375.77, labor $596.30. Project started December 26, 1939, completed July 17, 1940.
Bl. 17817- This project operated in Main Street, Wash- ington Street north to and including intersection at Huttleston Avenue, and Bridge Street from Main to Middle. Entailed the laying of 390 ft. of 12 in., 204 ft. of 10 in., 338 ft. of 8 in. Akron surface drain with the construction of 7 catchbasins and 4 manholes. 3171 ft. of granite curb was reset, 759 ft. of old stone curb removed and 839 ft. reinforced cement curb on stone grouted base constructed. 410 ft. of cobble gutter 3 ft. wide removed and this area resurfaced with 41/2 in. of crushed stone rolled, penetrated and sealed. To remove 1052 cu. yds. block paving, regrade the base with gravel and resurface with 61/2 in. of crushed stone in
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2 courses rolled, penetrated and sealed. Project was started on April 8, 1940, completed August 1, 1940. Estimated contributory cost was $8600, actual values incorporated in the project amount to $9930.62. Equipment $1707.13, material $7419.52, labor $803.97. The excess in cost, over and above the estimate, may partially be explained by use of Type I Mix at the inter- section of Huttleston Avenue and Bridge approach and Main Street. At the time the change was made in the project for this type of surface at the intersection it seemed that the additional cost was well warranted, and since the completion of the job general comment has seemed to prove this.
Bl. 17817- Main Street from Washington Street south to Church and Church Street to Fort Street. Unit en- tailed the laying of 218 l. ft. of 8 in. Akron surface drain pipe, the construction of 2 catchbasins, and to lay 30 ft. corrugated iron pipe. The resetting of 2652 1. ft. of granite curb, removal of 125 l. ft. of old granite curb and replacing with new. To set 95 l. ft. of new granite curb and to construct 404 l. ft. of cement curb. Removal of 863 cu.yds. block paving and to regrade road base with gravel where necessary, and reconstruct with 61% in. of crushed stone in 2 courses, rolled, penetrated and sealed. A project change was made to allow the installation of 2 catch- basins on the north east and south east corners of Fort and Church Streets with the necessary footage of pipe to connect with an established drain. The estimated contributory cost $7737. The actual values incorporated in the project amount to $7904.47. Equipment $1545.64, material $5684.12, labor $674.71. Project started June 10, 1940, completed August 10, 1940. This project completed the resurfacing of Main Street from, and including, the intersection of Huttleston Avenue southerly to Church, thence to Fort Street. Street rails and ties were removed by the Street Railway at no cost to the Town.
Bl. 17817- Project in Kendrick Avenue from Main Street to the Acushnet River entailed the construction of a surface drain of 1634 l. ft. of pipe (16 ft. of 15 in. bituminous covered corrugated iron pipe, 100 ft. of 6 in. perforated bituminous covered corrugated iron
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pipe, 570 ft. of 15 in akron, 740 ft. of 12 in. akron, 48 ft. of 10 in. akron and 160 ft. of 8 in. akron pipe), also entailed the construction of 10 catchbasins and 1 manhole. Estimated contributory $1535. Actual values incorporated in the project $1365.85 Equip- ment $145.50, material $1127.94, labor $92.41. Unit started July 15, 1940, completed August 13, 1940.
Bl. 17817- Unit in Newbury Avenue west of No. Main Street entailed the construction of 1571 l. ft. of rein- forced cement curb on grouted stone base. Excavate to a depth of 12 in. 810 ft. of roadway refill with gravel 2 courses, each rolled, stabilized with tar. Grade and gravel 3142 ft. of sidewalk. Estimated contributory cost $2649. Actual values incorporated in the project $1684.89. $912 for equipment, $558.89
for material, $214 for labor. W. P. A. supplied 525 bags of cement valued at $383.00. Project started September 19, 1939, suspended November 25, 1939 because of weather conditions reopened July 1, 1940 for grading and stabilizing and finally completed August 22, 1940.
Bl. 17817- Unit operated in Veranda Avenue east to North Main Street entailed the construction of 1749 1. ft. of reinforced cement curb on stone grouted base. Excavate to a depth of 12 in. 898 l. ft. of roadway 24 ft. wide, refill with gravel 2 courses each rolled, stabilized with tar. 3498 l. ft. of sidewalk gravelled and graded. Estimated contributory cost $3208. Actual values incorporated in the project $1998.72, equipment $1139.50, material $605.92, labor $254.50. W.P.A. contributed 600 bags of cement at a value of $438. Project started September 27, 1939 and sus- pended December 11th of the same year because of weather conditions, worked intermittently and finally completed August 27, 1940.
Bl. 17817- Project operated in Magnolia Avenue entailed the excavation of 972 l. ft. of roadway to a depth of 12 in., refill with gravel in 2 courses each rolled and stabilized with 2 applications of tar. To construct 1944 l. ft. of reinforced cement curb on stone grouted base, to construct 120 l. ft. of grouted stone retaining wall at an average height of 3 ft. and a thickness of
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15 in. Toremove 40 l. ft. of 36 in. corrugated iron pipe, and to construct 40 l. ft. of stone culvert with reinforced cement top slab, to construct 2 catchbasins with connection to culvert. This unit started March 18, 1940 and completed August 29, 1940. Estimated con-
ยท tributory cost $3277. Actual values incorporated in project $2435.42. $1038.26 for equipment, $1115.19 for material, $281.97 for labor.
Bl. 17817- This project for surface drainage from the west side of Sycamore Street just north of Magnolia Avenue through the property of Sarah Parker and eliminated an open brook more or less contaminated by sewage etc. Entailed the construction of 480 l. ft. of wet stone culvert with reinforced cement top, the installation of 2 catchbasin covers and 2 manhole covers. The original project estimate was $1207, there being included in the project a request for W.P.A. to supply 325 bags of cement which was refused because the town was below the 25% con- tribution demanded, making the final estimate cost to the Town $1441. Actual values incorporated in the project $1498.94, equipment $352.75, material $890.72, labor $255.47. Unit opened May 29, 1940 and completed September 14, 1940.
Bl. 17817- Operating in River and Kendrick Avenues. In River Avenue from Coggeshall Street southerly to Kendrick and easterly in Kendrick to Sycamore. Project entailed the laying of 978 l. ft. of block curb, excavate and reconstruct with gravel 982 l. ft. road- way 24 ft. wide and 516 l. ft. of roadway 30 ft. wide. Gravel, grade and roll 1964 l. ft. sidewalk 8 ft. wide and 958 l. ft. of sidewalk 10 ft. wide, and to grade to sidewalk level 1964 l. ft. of street 10 ft. wide abutting the sidewalk in River Avenue. Estimated contributory cost $3476. Actual values incorporated in project $3349.15, equipment $1926.90, material $931.51, labor $490.74. Started January 31, 1940, final completion September 14, 1940. Delay in com- pletion by a suspension of the Kendrick Avenue protion to allow the installation of the surface drain in that road, same being necessitated by the finding of springs in the lower section of Kendrick Avenue.
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Bl. 17817- Unit operated in Linden Avenue from Green Street easterly to Adams Street. Entailed the con- struction of 757 lin. ft. of gravelled roadway stabilized. Lay 75 ft. of 8" Akron and 37 ft. of 8" bituminous drain pipe and construction of 2 catchbasins. Setting of 868 lin. ft. of block curb and the gravelling of 865 lin. ft. of sidewalk 10 ft. wide with 6 inches of gravel. The estimated contributory cost was $1858.00. Values incorporated in the project amount to $1856.06. $949.25 for equipment rental, $540.18 for material and $366.63 for contributory labor. Project was started October 4, 1939, suspended during the winter, finally completed May 27, 1940.
W.P. 18780- Sidewalk project originally started May 23, 1939, suspended December 15, 1939, reopened June 17, 1940 and completed August 22, 1940. Project called for the construction of approximately 10,000 sq. yds. of granolithic sidewalk with an estimated sponsor's contribution of $10,990.75. Actually 10,138 sq. yds. of walk was constructed. Values incorporated in the project as sponsor's contribution amounted to $11,650.62. $3313.49 was for equipment rental, $6999.84 for material, $1337.29 contributory labor. Abuttors contribution of cement to the value of $4786.14. A new sidewalk project was opened September 3, 1940.
Bl. 21847- Operated in Washington Street from Rotch Street easterly to a point approximately 90 feet be- yond Egypt Lane, entailed the resetting of 282 feet of granite curb, removal of 246 ft. of block curb and construction of 2557 lin. ft. of reinforced cement curb. Laying of 63 lin. ft. of 20" drain pipe, 88 lin. ft. of 8" drain pipe and 305 lin. ft. of 10" drain pipe and the relaying of 28 ft. of drain pipe. Construction of 5 catchbasins. The installation of 1412 lin. ft. of roadway refilled with 12" of gravel rolled, 61%" of crushed stone in 2 layers each rolled, pene- trated and sealed. Also the gravelling of 1234 ft. of sidewalk. The estimated contributory cost $7657.00. Actual values incorporated $8521.60. Equipment rental $2596.76, material $5068.44, contributory labor $856.40. The excess is accounted for by an over run of crushed stone above the estimate. The Federal
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Government contributed asphalt to the value of $871.29. Project started August 12, 1940, completed November 6, 1940. 127 barrels of cement allowed on this project was made available too late for use on this particular unit, but was used later on Coe Street and the curbing job in Larch Ave., Linden Ave. etc.
Bl. 21847- A unit operated in Brown and Wilding Streets entailed the laying of 736 lin. ft. of 8" Akron surface drain and construction of 4 catchbasins. Project started October 21, 1940, completed November 14, 1940. Estimated sponsor's contribution $464.00. Actual values incorporated in the project $392.12, equipment rental $67.88, material $260.81, contributory labor $63.43.
Bl. 21847- This unit for 5431 lin. ft. of reinforced cement curb on stone grouted base (1938 lin. ft. in Linden Avenue; 522 lin. ft. in Larch Avenue; 1497 lin. ft. in No. William Street; and 1474 lin. ft. in No. Walnut Street) and also entailed the relaying of 24 lin. ft. of granite curb in Linden Avenue. Project was started September 25, 1940 and completed December 26, 1940. W.P.A. allowed $6593 for labor. Estimated Sponsor contribution $2255. Values incorporated in the project $1821.16. Equipment rental $517.39, material $1028.16, contributory labor $275.61.
Projects incomplete at the end of the year.
Coe Street has 624 lin. ft. of reinforced cement curb completed, also 308 lin. ft. of roadway excavated and refilled with two layers of gravel, rolled and pene- trated. 2 catchbasins constructed and 100 lin. ft. of 8" Akron surface drain pipe placed. Project started September 17, 1940, suspended on November 8th. Road has yet to be sealed.
Francis Street, 164 lin. ft. of 12" Akron drain pipe re- laid; new installation of 120 lin. ft. of 12" and 116 lin. ft. of 8" surface drain with the construction of 3 catchbasins and 1055 lin. ft. of reinforced cement curb. 520 ft. of roadway 30 ft. in width has been excavated and refilled with 12" of gravel in 2 layers. 990 ft. of sidewalk 10 ft. in width graded and gravelled at this time. Project was suspended due to lack of
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local funds. Rolling, penetration and seal remains to be done. W.P.A. supplied 250 bags of cement for this unit to the value of $175. and a further contri- bution from W.P.A. for 1400 gallons of tar was allowed and is yet to be used. Project started November 7, 1940 and suspended December 26, 1940.
Granolithic sidewalks. This project called for the laying of 10,000 sq. yds. of cement sidewalk. Pro- duction to date of 1602 sq. yds. with the project still operating at the end of the year.
Sewing project operating and employing 23 women. Library project operating and employing 3 women. Household aid operating and employing 6 women. Cleaning project now operating in the Town Hall employing 5 women and 2 men.
The cost to the Town in the operation of the projects in the past year has exceeded previous years because W.P.A. demanded at least 25% sponsor's contribution. This provision prohibited any W.P.A. material until after the first of July, sponsor's contribution being below the 25% during that period.
Respectfully submitted,
E. W. SANDERS,
Coordinator.
Report of State Audit
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Fairhaven for the period from July 30, 1939, the date of the previous audit, to September 7, 1940, and report thereon as follows:
The financial transactions as shown on the books and records of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked with the records in the offices of the treasurer and the accounting officer.
The books and accounts kept by the accounting officer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded re- ceipts were compared with the town treasurer's books and with the books and records of the several departments in which charges originated or money was collected for the town. The recorded payments were checked with the treasury warrants and with the disbursements as shown by the books of the town treasurer. The appropriations, loan orders, and transfers as recorded on the accounting officer's books were checked and verified by a comparison with the town clerk's records of town meetings and with the records of the finance committee.
The general and appropriation ledger accounts were footed and analyzed, a trial balance, proving the accounts to be in balance, was taken off, and a balance sheet, show- ing the financial condition of the town on September 7, 1940, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were ex- amined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the accounting officer's ledger and with the records of the departments making payments to the treasurer, while the payments were checked with the war- rants authorizing the disbursement of the town funds.
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The footings of the cash book were verified and the cash balance on September 7, 1940, was proved by a recon- ciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank in which town funds are deposited.
The payments on account of maturing debt and inter- est were proved with the amounts falling due and were checked with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed. The income was prov- ed and all recorded transactions were verified.
The savings bank books representing the investment of the municipal contributory retirement funds were exam- ined. The receipts, representing contributions by the town and by the members, as well as income from savings de- posits, were checked in detail. The disbursements were verified and the cash balance was proved.
The income from the Henry H. Rogers High School Fund as recorded by the town treasurer was compared with a statement furnished by the custodian of this fund.
The tax title deeds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and the amounts added to the tax title ac- count were compared with the collector's records. The re- ported redemptions were checked with the receipts as re- corded on the treasurer's and the accounting officer's books. the recorded disclaimers and foreclosures were proved, and the tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the accounting officer's ledger. The tax titles were further proved by comparison with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The tax and assessment accounts outstanding according to the previous audit were examined, and all subsequent commitments were verified and compared with the assessor's warrants for their collec- tion. The recorded collections were checked with the pay- ments to the treasurer as shown by the treasurer's and the accounting officer's books.
The recorded abatements were compared with the assessors' records of abatements granted, the taxes and
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assessments transferred to the tax title account were check- ed with the records on file of tax titles held by the town, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accounting officer's ledger.
The commitments of departmental accounts receiv- able were examined and checked in detail. The payments to the treasurer were verified by a comparison with the treas- urer's and the accounting officer's books, the abatements were checked with the departmental records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved to the accounting officer's ledger.
The outstanding tax, assessment, and departmental accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
It was noted that on September 7, 1940, the expend- itures for Chapter 90 highway projects exceeded the amounts available by $1,616.76. Attention is called to the fact that expenditures for highway projects carried on by the town in conjuction with the State and county may not exceed the aggregate amount of the appropriation voted by the town, together with the amounts actually received on account of allotments. Whenever the reimbursements from the State and county are not received in time to provide funds for payment of payrolls, etc., temporary loans under the provisions of Section 6A, Chapter 44, General Laws, may be issued by the treasurer.
Attention is also called to Section 3, Chapter 49, Acts of 1933, as amended, which provides that all amounts re- ceived during any month by the town from the redemption or sale of land purchased or taken by it for non-payment of taxes, or from the assignment of any tax title held by the town, shall, at the end of such month, be paid over to the state treasurer.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The records of dog licenses issued on behalf of the county, and of sporting licenses, the receipts of which are paid to the State, were examined, checked and compared with the amounts due and paid to the town, county, and State. The records of receipts from town
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licenses issued were checked and the recorded payments to the town treasurer were verified.
The surety bonds furnished by the several town officials required by law to furnish surety for the faithful perform- ance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the select- men and the building and health departments were exam- ined and checked, and the payments to the town treasurer were verified.
The records of the sealer of weights and measurers, as well as all other departments collecting money or commit- ting bills for collection, were reconciled with the treasurer's and the accounting officer's books.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, assessment, tax title, and departmental accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust and retirement funds.
During the progress of the audit, co-operation was ex- tended by the various town officials, for which I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreci- ation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
Report of the Park Commission
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
The order of the day in the Park Department for 1940 has varied little from previous years. The same force of men have worked to capacity in keeping the nine plots in presentable shape.
Hurricane damages have been fairly repaired, most conspicuously at the corners of Main street and Huttleston avenue and on the Main street side of the Tennis Courts. The problem of revamping without tearing up entirely has not been simple but after the growth of several seasons it is expected the effects will be satisfactory. Lawn sections especially suffering from salt water have been reconditioned but the end is not in sight on much of this work. Also the stone work has been completed on the Tennis Plot, finishing the wall on Middle street and marking corners at the two entrances on Main street.
The Huttleston Parkway on which the Information Booth is located, being sparcely grassed, was loaned to the Improvement Association for a Petunia bed making an at- tractive bit of color for two months. But the present barrenness rather makes the last condition worse than the first and it is felt that some more permanent planting is desirable.
Willow Park has come back well and takes its place this season with Benoit Square in the Al rating. The Cook Memorial plot is well on the way up. At Cushman the post hurricane replacement is narrowing but its location use and misuse necessitate continual revamping. The pro- jected planting at Fort Phoenix is still in the future.
The completion of Livesey Park is ever with us and must await funds from some source other than the regular upkeep appropriation. Boulder plot however has been kept reasonably clean, and some rough grading was done
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towards the south west corner in the hope of providing a soft ball field. But the entire area has proved ideal for ragweed culture. On the summer playground section, a shadeless spot, it is planned to at least start a few trees in the spring.
The four playgrounds were maintained this season, Cushman for seven weeks, the others for shorter periods. The report of the Director is appended.
MABEL L. POTTER, Chairman ARSENE G. DUVAL HAROLD B. DUTTON, Secretary
Playground Report
To the Members of the Park Board:
The total registration of about 1100 children for the 1940 season at Cushman Park was slightly under that of the previous summer while the daily average of 240 was higher. There were recorded from the several schools in approximate numbers 200, the Job C. Tripp; 100 each from the Rogers, Washington Street and St. Joseph; 40 from the Edmund Anthony Jr .; 50 from Oxford; 19 from the Sacred Hearts School and Academy; with 63 girls and 84 boys of High (including the Addition) and above school age and 200 under school age. The records also show over 200 visitors.
Weekly sports programs were carried on as in former years. Miss Louise DeMello assisted with the weekly sew- ing classes, and 60 girls completed two or more projects out of 84 who attended the sessions. Certain hours were designated for games, always popular; and local pupils earned civic time for assisting while girl scouts were also helpful.
Activities were resumed at North Fairhaven under James Hayes, Miss DeMello assisting bi-weekly. The average daily attendance was nearly 100 and in spite of limited apparatus the children were most appreciative after being excluded from their play center for the two previous summers. Mrs. John Rogers at East Fairhaven reported a slightly lower attendance than last season.
All who are engaged in recreational activities today feel a sense of pride in taking part in a movement which has grown to vast proportions the country over and is such a major factor in building good American citizens. We have none of the problems of Europe's chaos but rather the encouraging responsibility of keeping our youth occupied and interested during leisure hours.
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL OBER DUTTON
Report of the Town Physician
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
During the year ending December 31, 1940 the Town Physician made a total of 1750 calls. Of this number 1349 were furnished medicines and supplies from his "stock" at no extra expense to the town, the remaining 401 were given prescriptions which were filled at the local drug stores.
The Town Physician administers to families classified under various charities such as straight Welfare cases, Aid to Dependent Children, Mother's Aid, W.P.A. families where the income is insufficient to afford medical care, State Aid cases, etc. In addition to this list the Town Physician examines all of the C.C.C. boys before they are sent to camp, all of the boys and girls before they are sent to the various health and recreation camps during the summer months, also cases referred to him by the Police Department, District Nurses and from many individuals and neighbors of those who need medical assistance tempora- rily until such time as their needs may be investigated by the Welfare Department. Many families in town are given medical care but receive no other aid from the town.
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