USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1956 > Part 3
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1955 Under- estimates
State Parks and Reservations
$ 1,722.82
State Audit of Municipal accounts
1,849.82
State Examination of Retirement System
36.58
$3,609.22
3,609.22
COUNTY TAX AND ASSESSMENTS
County Tax
$43,725.87
$7,578.60
Tuberculosis Hospital
19,690.92
$63,416.79
$7,578.60
70,995.39
Overlay of Current Year
36,621.26
Gross Amount to be raised
$1,656,556.82
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Tax
$113,711.43
Corporation Taxes
52,632.98
Old Age Tax (Meals)
5,336.44
Motor Vehicles and Trailer Excise
116,010.38
Licenses
9,146.50
66
Fines
72.00
General Government
4,714.64
Protection of Persons and Property
1,397.39
Health and Sanitation
6,127.98
Highways
1,156.80
Charities (Other than Federal Grants)
30,111.38
Old Age Assistance (Other than Federal Grants)
102,907.80
Veterans Services
16,817.11
Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included)
35,691.40
Public Service Enterprises (Such as Water Dept.)
19,364.68
Interest
3,317.32
State Assistance for School Construction
15,790.00
Union Wharf
4,175.44
Apportioned Sewer Assessments
194.91
Vessel Excise
812.16
TOTAL ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
$539,488.82
OVERESTIMATES OF PREVIOUS YEAR TO
BE USED AS AVAILABLE FUNDS
County Tuberculosis Hospital
$ 5,744.71
State Parks and Reservations
266.16
Amounts to be taken from available funds (voted) 151,919.77
$157,930.64
Amount
Date
Source
$10,000.00
10/15/55
E. and D.
1,000.00
10/15/55
E. and D.
600.00
10/15/55
E. and D.
1,722.78
8/11/55
Jr. High School Building Expense
12,000.00
8/11/55
Jr. High School Committee Plans
30,000.00
3/17/56
E. and D.
2,000.00
3/17/56
E. and D.
22,500.00
3/17/56
E. and D.
1,300.00
3/17/56
E. and D.
25,000.00
3/17/56
E. and D.
2,220.00
3/17/56
Dog Fund
7,500.00
3/17/56
Main Street
12,500.00
3/17/56
Stabilization Fund
23,576.00
3/17/56
Reimbursement
Chapter 589
$151,919.77
$151,930.64
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS
$157,930.84
67
TOTAL ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
$697,419.46
NET AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION ON POLLS AND PROPERTY
$959,137.36
Number of Polls - at $2.00 each - 4273 $ 8,546.00
Personal Property $ 1,242,200.00 Tax rate Tax $ 79,500.80
Real Estate $13,610,790.00 $64.00 $871,090.56
$14,852,990.00
$959,137.36
Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property
$959,137.36
Items not entering into the determination of the Tax Rate
Sewers $337.52 Committed Interest $72.39 €A 409.91
Vessel Excise
801.55
$1,211.46
$ 1,211.46
Total of all Commitments to Collector on Polls, .
Property and Assessments for 1956 $ 960,348.82
TABLE OF AGGREGATES OF POLLS, PROPERTY AND TAXES AS ASSESSED JANUARY 1st, 1956 Not Including Excise Tax or Exempted Property
Number of persons assessed
Individual
All others
Total
On Personal Estate only
523
53
576
On Real Estate only
5950
49
5999
On both Real Estate and Personal (NOT the sum of Items 1 and 2)
876
70
940
NUMBER OF PERSONS ASSESSED
6575
NUMBER OF POLLS ASSESSED
4273
VALUE OF ASSESSED PERSONAL ESTATE
Stock in Trade
$ 74,000.00
Machinery
30,530.00
Live Stock
49,520.00
All other Tangible Personal Property
$1,097,150.00
TOTAL ASSESSED PERSONAL ESTATE $ 1,242,200.00
68
VALUE OF ASSESSED REAL ESTATE Land exclusive of Buildings
Buildings exclusive of land
$ 2,813,990.00 10,786,800.00
TOTAL ASSESSED REAL ESTATE
13,610,790.00
TOTAL VALUATION OF ASSESSED ESTATE
$14,852,990.00
TAX RATE PER $1,000.00 = $64.00
TAXES FOR STATE, COUNTY AND CITY AND
TOWN PURPOSES, INCLUDING OVERLAY
On Personal Estate
$ 79,500.80
On Real Estate
871,090.56
On Polls
8,546.00
TOTAL TAXES ASSESSED $ 959,137.36
NUMBER OF LIVE STOCK UNDER SECTION 36, CHAPTER 59
Horses
14
Cows
558
Bulls
22
Steers
31
Swine
6
Fowl
9220
NUMBER OF ACRES OF LAND ASSESSED
7497
NUMBER OF DWELLINGS ASSESSED
5324
SUBSCRIBED THIS 31st DAY OF AUGUST, 1956 UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY
1956 RECAPITULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAILER EXCISE COMMITTMENTS January Ist., to December 31st., 1956
Date of Committment
Number
Value
Excise
March 15th
175
$ 114,860
$ 6,252.14
April 4th
440
233,110
12,445.46
June 2nd
1138
570,510
29,871.95
September 18th
1775
704,860
33,703.11
TOTAL
3528
$1,623,340
$82,272.66
69
REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
Valuation
Tax Abatements (Omit Polls)
January 1954
$14,621,930.00
On 1954 Levy
Tax Rate $60.00 $22,220.40
Supplemental
1,760.00
In 1954
In 1955
24,079.57
Total
$14,623,690.00
In 1956
3,105.00
January 1955
$14,407,810.00
On 1955 Levy
Tax Rate $60.00
Supplemental
None
In 1955
$23,283.20
In 1956
798.00
Total
$14,407,810.00
January 1956
$14,852,990.00
On 1956 Levy
Tax Rate $64.00
Supplemental
None
In 1956
$23,881.85
Total
$14,852,990.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Abatements
1954 Total @ $51.86:
1954 Abatements:
Valuation
$2,127,160.00
In 1954
$8,455.33
Levy
91,625.66
In 1955
3,807.80
In 1956
None
1955 Total @ $53.37:
On 1955 Levy
Valuation
$2,254,810.00
In 1955
$7,451.93
Levy
103,887.79
In 1956
6,529.65
Jan. Ist to Dec. 31st, 1956:
On 1956 Levy
Valuation
$1,623,340.00
In 1956
$4,977.92
Levy
33,703.11
VESSEL EXCISE
Levy
Abatements
1954
$1,313.92
In 1954
None
1955
842.06
In 1955
None
In 1955
$30.00
1956
801.55
In 1956
None
General Tax Rate set at $64.00 less School Tax Rate of $22.04
This is to certify that the above statements as reported are correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.
CHRISTOPHER J. BIRTWISTLE
SUSAN B. VINCENS,
Board of Assessors
70
Election and Registration
Tabulations of information gathered in our annual can- vass shows that there were 9,108 persons, male and female, 20 years of age or over residing in the town January 1, 1956 and by the use of a formula in general use for estimating the total population, it is found to be 13,388 which it must be understood is an estimate and not an actual count, broken down by precincts is as follows :
PERSONS 20 YEARS AND OVER
PRECINCTS
1
2
3
4
5
Totals
S.N. 641
MALES
683
768
909
805
E.F. 470
4276
S.N. 705
FEMALES
903
851
1024
859
E.F. 490
4832
TOTALS
1586
1619
1933
1664
2306
9108
PERSONS UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE
745
760
908
782
1085
4280
TOTALS
2331
2379
2841
2446
3391 13388
The Voting List at the time of the Town Election, February 6, 1956 contained the names of 7,047 persons which broken down by Precincts and Party Enrollment was as follows :
Precincts
Republicans
Democrats
Unenrolled
Totals
1
665
108
499
1272
2
627
155
542
1324
3
250
428
771
1449
4
420
225
626
1271
5 E. Fairhaven
168
147
403
718
Sconticut Nk.
245
265
503
1013
TOTALS
2375
1328
3344
7047
71
During the Registration period for the Primary held April 24, 1956 there were 93 New Voters.
Town Election Voters
Precincts New Voters TOTALS
Precinct 1.
1272
1
17
1289
2.
1324
2
17
1341
3.
1449
3
17
1466
4.
1271
4
19
1290
5.
1731
5
23
1754
Town Election
7047 Feb. 6, 1956
New 93 Voters
7140
Primary April 24
After the Primary Election of April 24, there were 53 added to the Republicans and 38 to the Democrats.
The Revision of the Voting List, after removing those whom had moved out of town and those deceased, was as follows :
Precincts
Republicans
Democrats
Unenrolled
Totals
1
653
112
·
481
1246
2
591
151
530
1272
3
236
422
764
1422
4
408
211
599
1218
5. E. Fairhaven
149
150
384
693
Sconticut Neck 245
262
505
1012
TOTALS
2292
1308
3263
6863
VOTING LIST FOR STATE PRIMARY SEPTEMBER 18, 1956
Precincts
Republicans
Democrats Unenrolled
Total
1
653
112
556
1321
2
591
151
604
1346
3
236
422
840
1498
4
408
211
690
1309
Sconticut Nk.
245
262
586
1093
5 East Fairhaven 159
150
435
744
TOTALS
2292
1308
3711
7311
72
NUMBER OF UNENROLLED VOTERS WHO DECLARED THEMSELVES FOR STATE PRIMARY SEPT. 18, 1956
Precinct
Democrats
Republicans
1
66
85
2
77
76
3
271
31
4
127
50
Sconticut Neck
5
149
38
East Fairhaven
22
22
712 Democrats 302 Republicans
VOTING LIST AS THE RESULT OF THE SEPTEMBER 18 STATE PRIMARY
Precincts
Republicans Democrats
Unenrolled
Total
1
738
178
405
1321
2
667
228
451
1346
3
267.
693
538
1498
4
458
338
513
1309
5 Sconticut Neck 283
411
399
1093
East Fairhaven 181
172
391
744
2594
2020
2697
7311
During the registration period for the State Election for November 6, 1956, there were 354 persons added to the Voting List. The result was as follows:
NOVEMBER 6, 1956
Precincts
Republicans
£ Democrats
Unenrolled
Total
1
738
178
457
1373
2
667
228
507
1402
3
267
693
618
1578
4
458
338
571
1367
5 Sconticut Neck 283
411
462
1156
East Fairhaven 181
172
436
789
2584
2020
3051
7665
73
For the Town Election of February 4, 1957 the Official Voting List will reach a new all-time high, and six voting places will be in operation.
This will alleviate the overcrowded situation we had with the 1900 voters in Precinct 5. The next problem to be solved is in North Fairhaven, Precinct 3, with over 1600 voters.
In the State Primaries of September 18, 1956, voter in- terest was better than usual: 3282 persons voted - 1614 Republicans and 1668 Democrats.
This proves that more voters now realize that the real operating responsibility of State and Federal Government rests with parties rather than with individuals. Those who are chosen by their parties and elected to office are ser- vants of all the people, accountable through their parties to the people. The two-party system provides that alert and constant criticism from the "outs" that keep the "ins" ever-mindful of their honest duties. With two great parties, one always prepared to take the power from the other, we Americans have a governmental arrangement inferior to no other in the world.
If everyone was an indifferent (or independent) voter and did not vote in the primaries because he was ashamed of being enrolled as a Republican or Democrat - who would choose our candidates for us? How would we operate? Political chaos would follow, our present form of govern- ment might be seriously crippled - even disappear.
6907 voters participated in the State Election of Novem- ber 6th, a better than 90% turnout.
74
Election Results
Fairhaven Annual Town Election February 6, 1956
Pr. 1
Pr. 2 Pr. 3 Pr. 4
Pr. 5 Total
TOWN CLERK-Three Years-Vote for One
MICHAEL J. O'LEARY, 89 Laurel Sreet (Re-election)
779
668
882
717
1035
4081
Blanks
92
110
86
71
98
457
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
TOWN TREASURER-
For Three Years-Vote for One
MICHAEL J. O'LEARY, 89 Laurel Street (Re-election)
771
660
857
704
1030
4022
Blanks
100
118
111
84
103
516
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
COLLECTOR OF TAXES-
For Three Years-Vote for One
THOMAS J. MCDERMOTT, 25 Oak St. (Re-election)
792
685
882
701
1024
4084
Blanks
79
93
86
87
109
: 454
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
SELECTMAN-For Three Years-Vote for One
ALBERT E. STANTON, 141 New Boston Road (Re-election)
414
356
293
339
519
1921
HAROLD E. KERWIN, 31 Fort Street
293
245
315
295
416
1564
10
24
154
11
16
215
WILFRED PORTWAY, 46 Veranda Ave. BRADFORD C. TERRY, 14 Maple Ave. Blanks
138
139
187
134
164
762
16
14
19
9
18
76
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE-
For Three YearsVote for One
ALBERT E. STANTON, 141 New Boston Road (Re-election)
408
357
281
332
501
1879
HAROLD E. KERWIN, 31 Fort Street
293
241
304
287
408
1533
WILFRED PORTWAY, 46 Veranda Ave. BRADFORD C. TERRY, 14 Maple Ave. Blanks
147
142
196
135
182
802
10
10
28
16
21
85
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
13
28
159
18
21
239
75
Pr. 1 Pr. 2 Pr. 3 Pr. 4 Pr. 5
Total
ASSESSOR-For Three Years-Vote for One CHRISTOPHER J. BIRTWISTLE, 122 Pleasant St. (Re-election)
579
536
481
458
710
2764
FRANK E. BETTENCOURT, 111 Main Street
132
133
343
254
279
1141
D. AUSTIN SISTARE, 8 Main Street Blanks
125
74
67
60
93
419
35
35
77
16
51
214
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
SEWER and WATER COMMISSIONER- For Three Years-Vote for One
JOHN M. REILLY, 55 Massasoit Ave. (Re-election)
660
583
508
527
575
2853
VICTOR BRUNETTE, 65 Mill Road
166
158
381
230
498
1433
Blanks
45
37
79
31
60
252
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-
For Three Years-Vote for Two CLARENCE I. BANGS, 125 Laurel St.
570
455
190
370
440
2025
ERNEST C. HORROCKS, JR., 4 Wood St.
243
283
515
277
502
1820
JOHN T. MORGAN, 10 Coggeshall St.
507
468
748
458
486
2667
RUPERT V. WUNSCHEL, 252 Sconticut Neck Road
188
156
79
181
431
1035
Blanks
234
194
404
290
407
1529
Total
1742
1556
1936
1576
2266
9076
BOARD OF HEALTH-
For Three Years-Vote for One
FRANK E. BETTENCOURT, 111 Main Street
237
325
473
345
251
1631
STEVEN G. LAURIS, 297 Sconticut Neck Road
114
100
119
98
363
794
JOSEPH B. SANTOS, 200 Sconticut Neck Road
20
22
105
22
166
335
EDWARD L. SOARES, 25 Fort St.
432
235
152
255
245
1319
Blanks
68
96
119
68
108
459
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
COMMISSIONER OF TRUST FUNDS- For Three Years-Vote for One CHARLES RADCLIFFE, 17 Elizabeth St. (Re-election)
Blanks
110
94
178
117
182
681
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
761
684
790
671
951
3857
76
Pr. 1 Pr. 2 Pr. 3 Pr. 4 Pr. 5 Total
MODERATOR-For One Year-Vote for One STUART M. BRIGGS, 45 William St. (Re-election) JOHN RODERQUES Blanks Total
741
669
770
638
922
3740
1
1
130
109
197
150
211
797
871
788
968
788
1133
4538
PARK COMMISSIONER-
For Three Years-Vote for One
JOSEPH L. FARIA, JR., 39 Elizabeth St. (Re-election)
193
198
154
309
290
1144
WEBER REGO TORRES, JR., 118 E. Morgan Street
88
90
527
78
204
987
ELINOR C. VANDER POL, 757 Washington St.
550
464
222
358
591
2185
Blanks
40
26
65
43
48
222
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
PLANNING BOARD-
For Four Years-Vote for Two ARSENE G. DUVAL, 348 Main St. (Re-election)
666
602
870
582
868
3588
KENNETH R. VINING, 41 Fort St. (Re-election)
705
634
. 595
602
835
3371
Blanks
371
320
471
392
563
2117
Total
1742
1556
1936
1576
2266
9076
PLANNING BOARD-
For Three Years-Vote for One
To fill vacancy of William Tallman (Resigned)
VICTOR O. B. SLATER, 145 No. Walnut Street
720
636
743
615
898
3612
Blanks
151
142
225
173
235
926
Total
871
778
968
788
1133
4538
Question #1: Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year Nineteen Hundred and fifty-five, entitled: "An Act relative to rep- YES
472
414
366
371
579
2202
resentative town government by NO
204
160
295
204
272
1135
limited town meetings in the BLANKS 195 town of Fairhaven", be accepted? TOTAL 871
204
307
213
282
1201
778
968
788
1133
4538
77
Pr. 1 Pr. 2 Pr. 3 Pr. 4 Pr. 5 Total
Question #2: Shall chapter thirty- two B of the General Laws, authorizing any county, city, town or district to provide a plan of group life insurance, group ac- cidental death and dismember- ment insurance, and group gen- eral or blanket hospital, surgical and medical insurance for certain persons in the service of such YES county, city, town or district and NO their dependents, be accepted by BLANKS 161
this town?
TOTAL 871
778
968
788
1133
4508
State Election November 6, 1956
Pr. 1 Pr. 2 Pr. 3 Pr. 4 Pr. 5 Total
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT-
EISENHOWER and NIXON
1021
986
614
820
999
4440
HASS and COZZINI
2
2
1
1
0
6
HOLTWICK and COOPER
1
0
2
0
0
3
STEVENSON and KEFAUVER
214
255
779
390
696
2334
ANDREWS and WERDELL
1
4
5
Blanks
11
15
36
19
38
119
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
GOVERNOR ---
FOSTER FURCOLO - of Longmeadow
301
363
1015
539
910
3128
SUMNER G. WHITTIER - of Everett
926
870
386
661
771
3614
HENNING A. BLOMEN - of Somerville MARK R. SHAW - of Melrose
2
2
1
2
4
11
Blanks
18
21
30
27
48
144
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR-
CHARLES GIBBONS - of Stoneham
912
842
336
621
739
3450
ROBERT F. MURPHY - of Malden
289
364
1043
545
916
3157
11
2
4
5
5
27
HAROLD E. BASSETT - of Clinton FRANCIS A. VOTANO - of Lynn
3
4
0
4
8
19
Blanks
35
46
49
55
69
254
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
465
417
404
384
545
2215
245
191
270
215
327
1248
170
294
189
261
1075
10
3
2
0
1
4
78
SECRETARY-
EDWARD J. CRONIN - of Peabody RICHARD I. FURBUSH - of Waltham EARL F. DODGE - of Boston LAWRENCE GILFEDDER - of Boston Blanks
450
512
1092
667
1077
3798
756
688
280
502
571
2797
4
10
3
5
9
31
1
3
3
0
7
14
39
45
54
56
73
267
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
TREASURER-
JOHN F. KENNEDY -of Caton ROBERT H. BEAUDREAU - of Marlborough
403
498
1115
676
1098
3790
807
708
260 - 510
564
2849
ISAAC GODDARD - of Newton
5
5
5
2
9
26
WILLY N. HOGSETH - of Saugus
1
4
1
0
3
9
Blanks
34
43
51
42
63
233
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
AUDITOR ----
THOMAS J. BUCKLEY - of Boston JOSEPH A. NOBILE - of Boston
518
571
1140
742
1145
4116
683
625
225
434
499
2466
JOHN B. LAUDER - of Revere ANTHONY MARTIN - of Boston
3
7
14
5
12
41
Blanks
41
52
50
46
77
266
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
ATTORNEY GENERAL-
GEORGE FINGOLD
909
845
397
656
762
3569
EDWARD J. McCORMACK, JR. - of Boston
304
369
989
523
907
3092
FRED M. INGERSOLL - of Lynn
1
4
0
3
7
15
HOWARD B. RAND - of Haverill
3
3
4
2
0
12
Blanks
33
37
42
46
61
219
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
CONGRESSMAN - NINTH DISTRICT
DONALD W. NICHOLSON - of Wareham
922
888
378
669
816
3673
WILLIAM MCAULIFFE - of New Bedford
297
332
1016
528
859
3032
HASTINGS KEITH -
1
1
HAZEL F. JOHN -
1
1
ELVIS PRESLEY -
1
1
Blanks
31
37
38
32
61
199
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
5
3
3
3
4
18
79
Pr. 1 Pr. 2 Pr. 3 Pr. 4
Pr. 5 Total
Pr. 1 Pr. 2 Pr. 3
Pr. 4
Pr. 5 Total
COUNCILLOR-FIRST DISTRICT- JOSEPH P. DUPONT FRANKLAND W. L. MILES Blanks Total
396
479
1140
648
1136
3799
806
734
256
529
544
2869
48
45
36
53
57
239
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
SENATOR-THIRD BRISTOL DISTRICT-
HAROLD J. CLASKY - of New Bedford
738
650
216
450
441
2495
ARTHUR J. MULLEN - of Fairhaven
494
580
1202
762
1267
4305
JOHN VERTENTE - of New Bedford Blanks
1
1
18
27
14
18
29
106
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT- NINTH BRISTOL DISTRICT
MANUEL V. MEDEIROS - of Dartmouth
351
412
1000
563
853
3179
ALBERT E. STANTON - of Fairhaven
872
812
410
639
851
3584
Blanks
27
34
22
28
33
144
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS- BRISTOL COUNTY
CHARLES A. FRATES
488
580
1102
725
1175
4070
WILLIAM F. CARNEY
798
759
375
557
716
3205
PATRICK H. HARRINGTON, JR.
225
262
748
396
645
2276
FREDERICK H. SMITH
591
497
165
369
353
1975
Blanks
398
418
474
413
585
2288
Total
2500
2516
2864
2460
3474 13814
SHERIFF-BRISTOL COUNTY-
PATRICK H. DUPUIS - of New Bedford
899
823
472
644
785
3623
EDMUND DINIS - of New Bedford
314
389
921
542
897
3063
E. STEVENS
1
1
Blanks
37
45
39
42
55
218
Total
1250
1258
1432
1230
1737
6907
80
Public Assistance
Public Assistance was granted to the Aged, the Disabled, and Children, who were in need of financial or medical as- sistance. Persons not eligible to receive aid under these three groups were assisted from General Relief funds.
In all our dealings with applicants and recipients we have kept in mind both their needs and the cost to the tax- payers. The laws pertaining to these various relief pro- grams and the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare constitute the standard by which eligibility is determined and assistance granted in order that the Town of Fairhaven might receive reimburse- ment from both the Federal and State Governments. Failure to abide by the laws and policies would result in disallow- ances of grants.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Old Age Assistance was furnished to 282 persons during the year at a total cost of $228,546.65. Federal participation of $82,539.15 and State reimbursement of $94,019.12, as well as $4,550.19 from other Cities and Towns, reduced the net cost to the Town to $47,438.19. The average monthly grant, including medical care, totalled $86.48.
More than one-third of the cost of Old Age Assistance was for medical care, particularly for persons in nursing homes and for hospitalization. An average of twenty-seven persons per month were aided in nursing homes and 497 days of hospitalization. By diligence and follow up work we believe we have managed to control expenses to a greater degree than some other communities.
On the credit side, we can report the receipt of $15,238.31 in Recoveries from liens placed upon real estate of Old Age Assistance recipients.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
The Disability Assistance program was administered for the benefit of 21 persons. A Federal program, this is for disabled persons 18 years or over, whose eligibility by reason of their disability is determined by the State Department
81
Medical Panel. Total cost was $18,934.52. Federal grants of $7,516.01 and State reimbursement of $5,642.71 reduced the Town's share to $5,775.80. Medical expenses account for one-third of the total cost.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
The third Federal and State program, Aid to Dependent Children, was given to the same number of families as last year but for more children. The cost was slightly under the 1955 figure. The total cost was $35,275.09 of which the Federal Government paid $16,379.78 and the State $11,233.20, leaving the Town's share $7,662.11. Average grant per case totalled $108.87 per month.
PUBLIC WELFARE
Public Welfare, or General Relief, was granted to a total of 42 cases, either families or single persons. During the year 2 cases were closed by death, 10 were transferred to other categories of assistance and 18 returned to work or moved to another community, leaving 12 cases active at the end of the year. This is the lowest case load in at least 28 years.
BUDGET REQUESTS
In presenting the 1957 budgets we have taken into con- sideration 5.8% budget increases made October 1, 1956 for increased cost of living and the effect of the amendment to the laws permitting aliens with 20 years residence in the United States to receive Old Age Assistance.
CLAUDIA I. SCHILLER Social Work Supervisor
ALBERT E. STANTON WALTER SILVEIRA CHARLES W. KNOWLTON
Board of Public Welfare
82
SOURCE OF.THE PUBLIC. ASSISTANCE. DOLLAR-1956
LOCAL TAXPAYER $108,669.06 28.73%
COMMONWEALTH $ 132,346.42 34.99 %
FEDERAL
$ 11,803.24
GOVERNMENT $ 109,126.99
$ 16,314.31
3.12%
28.85%
4.31%
INDIVIDUALS CITIES & TOWNS
EXPENDITURES.FOR.PUBLIC.ASSISTANCE.1956
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE $ 229,756.81 60.74 %
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN $ 35,275.09 9.33 %
VETERANS BENEFITS
GENERAL RELIEF
DISABILITY ASSIST.
$ 10,862.08
$ 42,981.11 11.36 %
$ 21,369.25
$18,934.52
$19,081.16
2.87%
5.65 %
5.01 %
ADMINISTRATION
5.04%
INFIRMARY
The Planning Board
"For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals or welfare of its inhabitants"
The above quotation is taken from Section 2 of the "Zon- ing Enabling Act," and is the dedicated purpose of your Planning Board.
During the past year 13 meetings were held with 10 Public Hearings.
One hearing on a proposed zone change from business to industrial was not approved by the board because it would be a flagrant case of "Spot Zoning," and would not be in keeping with the surrounding area.
There was a Public Hearing held on a proposed exten- sion of a business area. The board was unanimous in its recommendation for the extension, but at the Special Town Meeting held December 8, 1956, it was voted to hold this article over to the Annual Town Meeting of March 1957.
A Public Hearing giving the selectmen the power to control trailers was unanimously recommended by the Plan- ning Board and was adopted at the Special Town Meeting of December 8, 1956.
There was also a Public Hearing held to increase the minimum lot size in single residential areas from 6,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. The object of this change was brought about by the present trend in dwellings of ranch houses and Cape Cod Cottages with breezeways and attached garages which could not be built on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet.
The Board found also, that from a health standpoint and for better general economics from the town's viewpoint, the increase in lot sizes was a sound step in the right direction in making Fairhaven a better town in which to live. This article was adopted at the Special Town Meeting of December 8, 1956.
84
The Board held a Public Hearing to amend Section 13 of the Zoning By-Law. Due to misunderstandings regarding set-backs on corner lots, we felt that this section should be amended for clarification and a better understanding of the law. The Board was unanimous in its recommendation for the adoption of this amendment. This article, by vote of the Special Town Meeting of December 8, 1956, was laid over until the annual Town Meeting to be held in March 1957.
The Board wishes to call to the attention of the citizens and general public of the town that all hearings are open to the public, and it would be of help to the Planning Board in its deliberations if interested persons would attend these hearings and not delay action in Town Meetings.
The Board in its deliberations is only concerned in the development of Fairhaven and future welfare.
During the year the Board was represented at the An- nual Meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards held in Holyoke and two meetings of the Region 6 Planning Board held at Taunton.
We were also represented at the first Southeastern Massachusetts Economic Conference held in Taunton in September.
We found attending these meetings were of great value and the information gained at these meetings will, in the future, prove of great value in helping us in our attempt for a better Fairhaven.
The Board, after much thought and study, decided not to become a member of The Southeastern Massachusetts Planning District. The cost would be around $560 and it is our opinion that, since Fairhaven is fully zoned, we would not profit enough to warrant the spending of this sum in joining this organization.
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