USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1953 > Part 5
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Vehicle Tank Meter System
10
1
Loading Rack
10
Other Auto Liquid
Meas. Devices
Ker. Oil, Grease (Ea. Meas.)
22
40
Lineal Measures
Yard Sticks
6
Sealing fees collected and turned into Town Treasurer
$292.15
Appropriation recommended for 1954 as follows:
Salary
$1,300.00
Transportation
255.00
Equipment & Supplies
45.00
Tel. Postage & Printing
10.00
Conference & Travel
35.00
Sealers Helper
55.00
$1,700.00
CHARLES P. THATCHER, Sealer of Weights & Measures
92
Shellfish Inspection
The report of the Shellfish Constable for 1953 shows about an average year, and the usual decrease in the amount of shellfish on hand.
During the last decade we have seen the number of active commercial fishermen decrease year by year and watched the increase in the number of families using beach facilities and shellfishing. There is no doubt that shellfish · are being taken out faster than it can grow. Twenty years ago more than thirty men fished continuously for a living, tonging and bullraking. This year less than ten fishermen found it profitable to stay at it, but 690 family permits were issued. Our population has more than doubled and large beach areas have built up which accounts for the change of conditions. With the advent of good outboard motors fishing is surpassing shellfishing in the town.
Clams have been scarce. Sets of seed which show up in the springtime do not develop and a person is lucky if he finds a small bed of clams. Quahogs are everywhere but you have to work longer to get the limit, either family or commercial, as the case may be.
We had a good scallop season as two large beds were unexpectedly discovered and between $30,000. and $40,000. worth of scallops were harvested. It is impossible for one man to keep exact record on account of the large areas fished.
Licenses taken out in 1953 :-
57 Commercial licenses
@
$5.00
$285.00
12 Dragger licenses
@
5.00
60.00
157 Scallop licenses
@
5.00
785.00
25 Non-resident permits
@
1.00
25.00
665 Family permits
@ 1.00
665.00
$1,820.00
TRACY W. MARKS,
Shellfish Constable
93
Fairhaven Board of Retirement
The following schedules show the operations summar- ized for the year ending December 31, 1953.
INCOME
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1952
$88,915.69
· Contribution from members
10,507.57
Appropriation of the Town
6,915.00
Interest Received
2,940.13
Total Income $109,278.39
DISBURSEMENTS
Pensions Paid
Refunds
$5,684.64 1,107.50 513.00
Expenses
Total Disbursements
7,305.14
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1953
$101,973.25
Balance represents the following :
National Bank of Fairhaven $3,085.75
Fairhaven Institution for Savings
73,887.50
Government Bonds
25,000.00
$101,973.25
Board of Retirement
GEORGE A. GREENE
HELEN M. WESTGATE IRVA M. BUSHNELL
94
Park Department REPORT OF PLAYGROUNDS
Livesey Park
Under Captain Francis Pacheco the Livesey Warriors of North Fairhaven won the championship of the Play- ground Softball League, with Larry Collins' Quahoggers of Cushman Park beating out Walt Bumpus' Golden Eagles for the runner-up position.
In the Horseshoe Tournament Manny Machado edged Pete Giroux (last year's winner) for the championship tro- phy.
The addition of a picnic-style table to Livesey Park's equipment filled a long-felt need and gave an opportunity to play table-games, to do handicraft work and to read under cleaner and more comfortable conditions.
Girls' activities were supervised by Mrs. Harold Rim- mer.
Cushman Park
As mentioned above, Cushman Park entered two teams in the Softball League, with the Quahoggers playing good enough ball to force Livesey Park's winning Warriors right down to the final out.
On August 19 an all-star team selected from all play- ers in our softball league played an exhibition game against the New Bedford Parks All-Stars, Fairhaven winning by an overwhelming score. Manny Pacheco, well-known um- pire once again kindly donated his services.
Horseshoes were extremely popular at Cushman Park and the tournaments brought out some hot competition. John Correia won the Senior Tournament and Alfred Delle- cese took the trophy in the Junior class. On August 20 the Cushman Park team of John Correia and Alfred Delle- cese won the Inter-Parks Horseshoe Championship by de- feating the Livesey Park team of Manny Machado and Pete Giroux by 4-1.
Besides softball, equipment was available for volley- ball and basketball. A group of older boys was taken to
05
the high school courts once weekly for tennis instruction. Informal tag-football games appealed on some of the cooler afternoons.
The girls developed skill in handicrafts under the in- struction by Mrs. Madeline Barstow.
East Fairhaven Playground
Because the new ball diamond of East Fairhaven's school had not been completed, softball activity was cur- tailed and limited to the not-too-extensive area between school and main road. However, on two occasions East Fairhaven sent a team into town to play exhibition games against league teams from Cushman and Livesey.
The winner of this park's horseshoe tournament was Bob Monteiro.
Younger children, under Mrs. Norman Shurtleff's in- struction, made scrapbooks and did various types of handi- work.
It is hardly necessary to say that, as usual, swings and slides and checkers were immensely popular at all three playgrounds. And also noted was the growing popularity among the small fry of rubber horseshoes, a game intro- duced last year at Cushman Park.
Field Day
The Fairhaven Playgrounds ended the season with their Annual Field Day on the afternoon of Friday, August 28, the affair being held at Cushman Park. Estimated attend- ance was 900. Lollipops for youngsters, candy prizes for competitive events, ice cream for all, and chairs for the grown-ups were provided by courtesy of the Park Board, and free Coca-Cola was given out by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New Bedford. The big afternoon ended with presentation of gifts and trophies to individuals and teams who had won the various championship events staged dur- ing the park season.
Thanks for able assistance in putting on the Field Day should be given to the following :
Park Commissioners Joseph Faria, Ernest Tripanier, Joseph Pimental; Committee Members Al Whitworth, Wal- do Hayden, Harry Bridges, Ray Archambault, Miss Eliza- beth Hastings, Mrs. Edith Moore, Mrs. William F. Pelton, Mrs. Walter Silveira and Chief Norman D. Shurtleff.
Safety Record
The only serious injury was a concussion caused by col- lision between teammates in pursuit of an infield fly dur- ing a supervised league softball game at Livesey Park. Ful- ly-stocked first-aid kits were available at each playground.
Attendance
The playground season opened June 29 and ended August 28, a period of nine weeks. We lost a total of four days of operation because of rain.
The attendance figures are, as follows :
Cushman Park
Mornings 38
Average Attendance 52
Season's Total
1985
Afternoons
40
Average Attendance
82
Season's Total
3,285
Season's Total of A. M. plus P. M. Attendance 5,270
Livesey Park
Mornings
40
Average Attendance 78
Season's Total
3,136
Afternoons
39
Average Attendance
65
Season's Total
2,537
Season's Total of A. M. plus P. M. Attendance 5,673
East Fairhaven Playground
Mornings 41
Average Attendance 28
Season's Total
1,144
Afternoons
41
Average Attendance 41
Season's Total
1,689
Season's Total of A. M. plus P. M. Attendance 2,833
Season's Total Attendance - All Parks
13,776
GEORGE M. COOK,
Supervisor of Playgrounds
97
Tree Department
To safeguard our shade trees in various parts of the town all street trees throughout the town have been spray- ed, as well as a large number on private property. Also a second spraying has been given to keep under control the later breeding of beetles. During the past year fifty-two trees have been removed and ninety maples planted in var- ious parts of the town and trees have been trimmed and dead limbs removed. The trees have been elevated so that they will not cause damage to the large trucks and busses that use our streets.
I recommend an appropriation of Twenty-Five Hun- dred dollars for the care of trees in 1954.
JOHN JARVIS
Tree Warden
MOTH CONTROL
During the past year we have sprayed all shade trees and removed dead limbs in various parts of the town and have carted and burned brush at the town dump. The trees as a whole are in a healthy condition.
I recommend an appropriation of Four Thousand Dol- lars for Insect Pest Extermination in 1954.
JOHN JARVIS
Moth Superintendent
98
Report of Police Department
Police Department Personnel
The roster of the Fairhaven Police Department for 1953 was as follows:
Chief of Police
2 Sergeants
7 Regular Police Officers (active)
1 Regular Police Officer (on leave of absence)
59 Spare Police Officers
2 Policewomen
1 Supervisor of Police Radio Communications
30 Reserve Police Officers
42 Special Police Officers
40 Auxiliary Police Officers (inactive)
Retired on pension :
Chief George T. Sykes-1939
Traffic and Safety
All public and parochial schools in Fairhaven were visited with a safety program in 1953. In these schools 14 assemblies were held with approximately 2,773 in attend- ance.
During holiday periods eighteen radio broadcasts were presented by Safety Educator William Desruisseau of the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Patrolman Albert E. Foster of the Fairhaven Police Department. Six of these broadcasts were live and twelve were tape-recorded.
As much time as can be spared is used in checking school bus law violators on the bus routes to the East Fairhaven School. Many warnings have been given by this department.
New construction of roadways on Sconticut Neck have improved the appearance of that section of town and has enhanced the riding comfort; but smooth roads certainly tend to cause operators to speed. This is our problem, and is given as much attention as time permits.
99
In the days that immediately followed the heavy snow- storms two cars were assigned by me to transport all school children who otherwise would have walked in Route 6 from the Mattapoisett line and from the Weeden Road section. This transportation was to and from school.
Sidewalk plowing would prevent tragedies not only to school children but to all who had to walk at the edge of the roadway. I, for one, urge everyone to approve side- walk snow removal. An article dealing with snow re- moval will appear in the 1954 annual town meeting war- rant.
Department Patrol Cars
On June 2, 1953 two Ford 6-cylinder sedans were de- livered to the police department.
Car #1, put in service June 2 and patroling the thick- ly-settled area, showed 30,378 miles traveled by December 31, 1953. Car #2, put in service June 20, 1952 and still in service patroling East Fairhaven east of Alden Road to the Acushnet and Mattapoisett lines, Sconticut Neck and West Island, showed 59,563 miles traveled by December 31, 1953.
Car #3, put in service June 2, 1953, is used by me gen- erally except when either of the regular patrol cars is out of service for repairs, and showed 7,018 miles traveled by December 31, 1953. It will be used through 1954 as a regular patrol car when new cars are delivered.
On October 29, 1953 a third car was purchased from the police department automobile appropriation for the fire department which still leaves an unexpended balance in that account.
The two 1953 6-cylinder Ford Sedans were purchased for $834.58 and the car bought for the Fire Department cost $1,000.
I recommend that the policy of acquiring two new cars each year be continued as it benefits the taxpayer and the service of this department is improved for the reason that cars are out of service less for repairs.
Police Ambulance
Our ambulance was purchased for us in 1942.
First run this year was Jan. 2, 1953, mileage 22,367
Last run this year was Dec. 29, 1953, mileage 24,890
Total miles traveled 2,523
100
Ambulance runs by the month :
January
20
February
17
March
15
April
9
May
15
June
15
July
21
August
16
September
18
October
9
November
26
December
14
195
New Ambulance
A new ambulance is being sought through an article in the warrant.
If the new ambulance is acquired the town will benefit much, as the present ambulance, which has given much very welcome service to persons needing ambulance transpor- tation for nearly 12 years, has had only minor repairs. The motor has not had an overhaul such as ring and piston ring replacement since its purchase.
The present ambulance was not designed to give pa- tients cushioned rides, and drivers come nearly to a stop when they observe a slight dip in the road, to prevent fur- ther injury to the patients.
Apprehension of Robbers
Early March 15 a robbery occurred in Fairhaven. Two robbers gained refuge in a house nearby, and were routed out with the help of citizens. A gun was found in the house; another between the scene of the robbery and the house. Two days later police apprehended the third of- fender.
All were prosecuted and the first two were sentenced. However, the third escaped when not in the custody of this department, and, at this writing, is still at large.
Although two of our officers were "Johnny on the spot" the department appreciates the cooperation of the citizens, State, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford Police.
101
Police Training School
In 1953 a training school was formed by the South- eastern Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and is known as the Bristol County Police Officers' Training School.
Approximately 120 police officers from Bristol County attended nine sessions of this school which was held at Taunton Police Headquarters. Two Sergeants, three Pa- trolmen, and one Spare Officer received diplomas at the end of the course. There were no tuition costs to the cities and towns which took advantage of the training of police- men.
There are at least two courses planned for 1954 and the town and this department will benefit greatly through further training of policemen. Most policemen will im- prove their knowledge if given an opportunity and that opportunity is now available.
At this writing one patrolman of this department is being trained in a specialized course on fingerprint iden- tification, classification, and police photography. This course is held at the Fall River Police Headquarters and the instruction is by a man assigned by the F. B. I. Bureau, Washington, D. C. This is the first course of its kind con- ducted in New England and at its completion trainees will be qualified as Identification Officers and Photographers.
Police training has been given to officers of this de- partment by me to better prepare them for the qualifying Civil Service examination to be given at some future date. The officers are very responsive and are interested in fur- thering their knowledge of crime prevention and procedure.
Commendation
Praise came to the department from at least three sources during the year.
The state auditors who examined our pistol permit and bicycle registration record made a special effort to commend the department for the manner in which these transactions had been treated.
A publication of the Massachusetts Selectmen's Asso- ciation praised the annual police reports of Longmeadow and Fairhaven as being the best in our Commonwealth.
A taxpayer, learning of the department's unexpended balance, expressed his appreciation.
102
Name and Address
A few persons still fail to realize that the name and address of whoever gives a report to the police are the most important parts of the report. An informant's name and address immediately promote confidence in the information furnished. In case additional information is needed the in- formant's identity and location are absolutely necessary. Sometimes facts produced early in an investigation tend to contradict the original report, and in this type of case the identity and availability of the reporting citizen are of immediate value.
A fact we must not lose sight of is that, of necessity, we must turn many reports over to other departments or agencies. The receiving agency is sure to believe they have a right to know the source of the information.
So, whenever anyone tells YOU he is planning to call police, please tell him to give his name and address! Re- member, reliable information is a prerequisite to efficient police work.
Dogs
Although most of our business is with human beings, a great deal of effort is necessarily put forth in behalf of and because of dogs.
During 1953 fifty-eight dogs were reported found in Fairhaven. We were asked to look for 55 which were lost. Seldom does a dog reported to us as lost prove to be one reported as found.
Seventeen dead dogs were reported to us. These were buried by the Health Department. One dog reported stolen was recovered. For one reason or another, fifteen dog bites were reported to us, and we referred 22 miscellaneous dog reports to the dog officer.
Numerous reports concerning dogs were relayed to the Selectmen; but many of these were duplicates of transac- tions reported above.
Camp Inspections
I hope State Police will pardon our "stealing" their very descriptive term, used to denote the examination of closed property.
103
Throughout the year your police department visits summer and year-round homes whenever they are closed. Doors and windows are checked; outbuildings are exam- ined; and surroundings are carefully considered.
Hundreds of printed inspection notices are slipped un- der doors or pushed through letter slots, and, when neces- sary, property owners are notified of our findings. The department will appreciate hearing from you when you plan to close your house for a business trip, vacation, or other reason.
Bicycle Registration
For over ten years this department has operated a bicycle registration system in conformity with Chapter 710, Acts of 1941, Massachusetts General Laws.
Besides the protective value, the system earns a cash profit for the town. In 1953 338 fees were collected. Of course, our busiest day with bicycle business is December 26. On that day 30 registrations were issued.
Unexpended Balance
Of the $47,514.82 appropriated for the maintenance of this department there remains $1,174.33 unexpended.
A few significant facts and figures may be of inter- est. The manpower in the night East Fairhaven car was at half strength for 32 weeks. This "saved" $2,116.80. The Wednesday and Sunday summer traffic car which has ac- complished so much for many years did not operate in 1953. This would have cost $288. The usual cost of football games was lowered $30. I cut over $50 from the cost of out-of-state travel by not attending the New England Police Chiefs' convention. This is the first con- vention I have missed since 1943.
These cuts in service are not to be confused with what- ever savings were effected whenever and wherever possible.
A few facts related to the service cuts are set forth here :
1952
1953
License Suspensions
123
100
Traffic checkups
846
695
Injury accidents
72
92
Persons injured in accidents
138
163
Non-injury accidents
92
90
104
Conclusion
The upswing of crime noted in the country and the apparent indifference of the majority of people to the un- dermining of our moral structure presents a problem de- manding the strict attention of law enforcement agencies. The responsibility, however, cannot be wholly placed on . the police department. While we are willing and anxious to wage incessant warfare against all activities which serve as the background of crime, we must have the support of all our townspeople.
Indifference to political corruption in the nation, in- difference to law breaking, and to individual responsibil- ities all contribute to the lowering of the principles upon which we have always prided ourselves.
During the past years I have attended the meetings of the Police Chiefs' Associations and have derived a great deal of benefit from the lectures and panel discussions.
Appreciation
Countless persons, realizing that the successful opera- tion of their police department is fostered by outside help, have shown us their interest in the forms of information and suggestions.
My appreciation, therefore, goes out to these people and to the organizations and associations which have helped the department.
Also, I take this means of expressing my appreciation to the Board of Selectmen, Superintendent Flavel M. Gif- ford, the school faculty, the student body, other town de- partments, state and other police departments, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the press, Radio Stations WNBH, WFMR, and WBSM, the businessmen, the public in general.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN D. SHURTLEFF,
Chief of Police
OFFENSES
Males
Females
Total
Accosting a female in a public place
4
0
4
Accosting a female under sixteen years
of age in a public place 7 ()
7
105
Males Females Total
Allowing an improper person to operate a motor vehicle
1
0
1.
Allowing person to operate an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle
1
0
1
Assault and battery
6
1
7
Assault with a dangerous weapon
1
0
1
Being a delinquent child
37
1
38
Being a suspicious person
1
0
1
Being an unlicensed operator
8
0
8
Breaking and entering and larceny in the nighttime
3
0
3
Contributing to delinquency
1
0
1
Desertion and neglect of family
1
0
1
Disturbing the peace
2
2
4
Drunkenness
33
1
34
Failing to slow down at an intersection
2
0
2
Failing to stop at stop sign
3
0
3
Failing to stop for a red light
1
0
1
Failing to stop when signalled to do so
4
0
4
False alarm of fire
6
0
6
Forgery
1
0
1
Illegitimate child law violations
1
0
1
Indecent assault
2
0
2
Indecent exposure
1
0
1
Keeping unlicensed dog
8
2
10
Larceny
5
0
5
Leaving scene of accident after causing injury to property
4
1
5
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation
1
1
2
Lewdness
2
0
2
Murder
1
0
1
Neglect of family
3
0
3
No Inspection sticker
1
0
1
Operating a motor vehicle after license was revoked
1
0
1
Operating a motor vehicle after license was suspended
4
0
4
Operating a motor vehicle after right was suspended
0
1
1
Operating a motor vehicle so as to endanger 7
0
7
Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor
18
1
19
Operating a motor vehicle without having
a certificate of registration in possession 1
0
1
106
Males Females Total
Operating a motor vehicle without having
an operator's license in possession Operating an uninsured motor vehicle
1
0
1
2
0
2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle Permitting uninsured motor vehicle to be operated on way
1
0
1
Permitting unregistered motor vehicle to be operated on way
1
0
1
Possession of lottery slips
0
1
1
Promoting a lottery
0
1
1
Robbery
3
0
3
Speeding
13
0
13
Stubbornness
0
1
1
Trespass
1
0
1
Unauthorized use of number plates
1
0
1
TOTAL LOCAL OFFENSES
208
14
222
OFFENSES IN ARRESTS FOR OUT-OF- TOWN POLICE
80*
3
84
TOTAL OFFENSES
289
17
306
*plus one artificial person
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Continued
53
2
55
Defaulted
5
1
6
Fined
33
1 34
Filed
51
3
54
Dismissed
15
0
15
Probation
3
3
6
Fined-Suspended
8
0
8
State Prison
4
0
4
House of Correction-Suspended
5
1
6
Not Guilty
13
0
13
Released Without Arraignment
9
0
9
State Farm
1
0
1
Massachusetts Reformatory
2
0
2
House of Correction
3
0
3
Fined-Committed
0
3
3
Pending
2
0
2
Appealed
1
0
1
DISPOSITION OF LOCAL OFFENSES
208
14
222
2
0
2
107
ARRESTS BY MONTHS
Males
Females
Total
January
3
1
4
February
4
0
4
March ·
8
0
8
April
9
0
9
May
12
1
13
June
5
0
5
July
11
1 12
August
20
3
23
September
12
1
13
October
19
3
22
November
9
0
9
December
6
0
6
TOTAL ARRESTS FOR LOCAL OFFENSES
118
10
128
ARRESTS FOR OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE
71*
3
75
TOTAL ARRESTS
190
13
203
ARRESTS BY AGES
11-15 years
8
2
10
16-20 years
26
0
26
21-25 years
19
1
20
26-30 years
19
0
19
31-35 years
7
0
7
36-40 years
8
1
9
41-45 years
8
3
11
46-50 years
5
1
6
51-55 years
3
1
4
56-60 years
5
0
5
61-65 years
5
0
5
66-70 years
3
0
3
Unknown
2
1
3
TOTAL ARRESTS FOR LOCAL OFFENSES
118
10
128
ARRESTS FOR OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE
71*
3
75
TOTAL ARRESTS
190
13
203
*plus one artificial person
108
POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES
Chief Norman D. Shurtleff
$3,640.00
Regular Men
27,852.28
Spare Men
10,098.93
Flashlight Batteries and Bulbs
41.95
Telephones
495.85
Auto Maintenance :
Gas and Oil
2,092.91
Repairs
1,156.79
Printing
109.95
Office Supplies
103.62
Physicians
135.00
Traveling Expense
21.79
First Aid Supplies
5.94
Supplies
33.93
Office Expense
73.24
Equipment for Men
15.94
Photography
22.00
Auto Hire
36.75
Membership Fees
18.00
Out-of-State Travel
1.43
Radio Maintenance
174.10
Ambulance Maintenance
127.53
Furniture and Fixtures
52.00
Police Boat
27.56
Personnel Injuries
3.00
TOTAL EXPENDED
$46,340.49
Unexpended
1,174.33
APPROPRIATION ANNUAL TOWN MEETING $47,514.82
Fines imposed in Fairhaven cases $1,543.00
Fine money received by the town 317.32
34,996
Phone calls, etc. January 1-December 31, 1953 Complaints
2,511
Reports
2,636
Resident arrests
62
Non-resident arrests
66
Stolen property reported to the value of
$10,011.38
Stolen property recovered to the value of $4,060.90
Number of Motor Vehicle Injury accident reports
filed with the Police Department in 1953
92
109
Number of non-injury accident reports filed under Section 1, Article IX, Traffic Rules and Regulations
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