USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1962 > Part 4
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LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD DUDLEY S. RICHARDS CHARLES A. MAXFIELD, JR.
91
Care of Trees and Moth Control
Tree Department
To safeguard our shade trees in various parts of the Town, all streets throughout the Town have been sprayed as well as a large number on private property. Also, a second spray- ing and a third spraying in some sections has been given to keep under control the later breeding of beetles.
During the year we have taken down eighty-six (86) trees and twenty-one (21) tree stumps (so that the stump chipper could cut them down below street level), trimmed trees, removed dead limbs and elevated the trees. I have planted one hundred (100) trees in various parts of the Town.
This summer we had a lot of trouble with our elm trees turning yellow and I took samples and sent them to the state university at Amherst and the report came back that of the 142 samples taken, 131 of these trees had Dutch Elm Disease. Therefore, these trees must be removed as soon as possible. I recommend an appropriation of Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.00) for the removal of trees with Dutch Elm Disease and the care of trees.
I recommend an appropriation of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) for the purchasing and plant- ing of trees.
Moth Department
During the past year we sprayed all shade trees and re- moved dead limbs in various parts of the Town and carted and burned brush at the Town Dump.
I recommend an appropriation of Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00) for Insect Pest Extermination in 1963.
JOHN JARVIS Tree Warden and Superintendent of Moths
92
Civil Defense
Mildred C. Martin, Clerk
Armand A. Guilmette, C. D. Director Eliot A. Hayward, Radio Officer
The year of 1962 brought many new problems and accom- plishments. New fields were explored and conquered. Man- kind and science is keeping its steady movement forward. The Civil Defense Office however, will remember the past year as the Cuban Crisis Emergency. We came very close to a thermo-nuclear war with Russia and Cuba. I do not believe there was any other choice to make by our President and we certainly supported him without questions.
The Town of Fairhaven along with the rest of the country was caught in a most difficult position. We have no adequate means of shelter protection for the town's inhabitants. The building survey was completed by the engineers on both phase one and two. We found ourselves in the same situation
93
as most towns where our public buildings are small and our industries are housed in small units. This leaves no large basements and no well shielded cores in the the buildings. We also have no caves, tunnels, or subways in the vicinity, so our capacity to shelter people is very small to say the least. The second phase of the survey, where the additional spaces can be had by constructing more shielding and ven- tilating some of the buildings, also proved to be very small. We could not reach five hundred spaces at best.
Your Director has in the past, recommended private shelters, and in view of the above stated facts, I believe the salvation of the population of this town, in the event of a full scale war, will remain in the hands of the people themselves. It is beyond the power of the government to provide ade- quate shelter space, at least in the near future. The Civil Defense Office has the information available for everyone to prepare themselves in case of a radiation attack.
We have started special training in the field of nuclear ra- diation and now we have a few persons from some of the key town departments that can use and measure radiation from fallout and we will continue to train these people as time permits. We intend to open this information to the public soon. It is more vital to have the utilities, sanitation, and safety personnel trained first however.
During the past year, we were spared the problem of hur- ricanes for which we are very thankful. We had, on the other hand, the planning and setting up of a school evacua- tion program. This proved to be a very serious problem. I believe we all knew or thought we knew the effects of Route 6 bisecting the town and creating a delay in crossing over this highway during an emergency. It was not until actual plans were drawn up that the real bottle-neck was apparent. This problem is very serious and we must work together in finding a solution. The way conditions are at the present time, we stand to lose a very large percentage of our school children.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the
94
School Department for the very speedy and thorough job that was accomplished in setting up the evacuation plans. While the plans are not the most foolproof, they are the best available at the present time and we are constantly looking for improvements, and these plans will be amended as need- ed. There is nothing nice about warfare. The citizens and especially the children are the real victims of war and it is our duty, everyone of us, to work together to protect this most valuable treasure of ours. Without our children, we have no future. Again, I would invite any interested persons, those who have the time and the community spirit, to volun- teer at the Civil Defense Office and obtain training in the various fields of Civil Defense.
ARMAND A. GUILMETTE, Director of Civil Defense, Town of Fairhaven
Board of Appeals
During the Year 1962 the Board held six public hearings and acted upon fourteen petitions for variances, granted thirteen and denied one.
Expenses were kept within the appropriation for the year.
ELLSWORTH M. BURGESS, Chairman
95
Veterans' Benefits
A total of 49 cases received Veterans' Benefits during the year 1962. This is eleven cases less than in 1961.
There were 34 cases receiving aid on January 1st, and 32 cases on December 31st.
The present case load is divided as follows:
World War I 5
World War II 20
Korean War 7
32
Dependent parents in their homes
14
Dependent parent in Nursing Home
1
Widows of Veterans
2
Disabled Veterans 6
Families because of illness of Veteran
7
Families because of unemployment of Veteran 2
32
Medical care only is being furnished in 14 cases. This is due to insufficient income and whereas the average age of the veteran is increasing there has been a greater number of requests for medical assistance, especially in the case of the dependent parent. It is expected that the cost of veterans' benefits will increase considerably in the near future.
The veteran who is ill is admitted whenever possible to a Veterans' Administration Hospital. It is often necessary to assist his family while he is away.
The town receives 50% reimbursement from the Common- wealth for assistance granted on cases approved by the Office of the Commissioner of Veterans' Services.
WALTER J. BOROWICZ,
Veterans' Agent
96
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Scales - 100 to 5000 lbs. - Adjusted 2 Sealed 18 Under 100 lbs. - Adjusted 1 Sealed 64
Weights Avoirdupois
Sealed 40
Metric
Sealed 98
Troy
Sealed 6
Liquid Measure
Sealed 10
Meters Inlet 1" or less Sealed 4
Oil
Sealed 1
Vehicle tanks
Sealed 4
Bulk Storage
Sealed 4
Pumps - gasoline
Adjusted 7
Sealed 54
Kerosene
Sealed 16
Yardstick
Sealed 1
Fees collected
$159.65
WILLIAM L. LACASSE, Sealer
97
Fire Department
Frank Rogers, Chief
The Fire Department answered 306 Calls during the year 1962. There were 47 Bell Alarms and 259 Still Alarms. This was the most active year in the history of the Fire Department. The Skindiving Rescue Squad had a very busy year helping other Cities and Towns which did not have the facilities. All apparatus except Engine #4 are in good condition. Engine #4 should be replaced in the year 1964. Station #3 had a new 100 Amp. service installed this year and the inside was painted. Station #5 was painted out- side. The Fire Prevention Bureau is increasing its activities as the Town grows. We would like, at this time, to thank the personnel of the department for their cooperation in such a busy year.
FRANK ROGERS HAROLD S. MACOMBER LINDSEY GIFFORD WALTER JACHNA JOSEPH ANDREWS Board of Fire Engineers
98
FIRE ALARM
ATLANTIC
. ₺
Front Row: Deputy Chief Harold S. Macomber; Asst. Chief Joseph Andrews; Asst. Chief Walter Jachna; Lt. Henry Jachna; John Rogers, Jr .; Frank Dobija; William Jasinski; Lt. Leo Daignault; Capt. Antone Rodriques; Theodore Puscizna; Gerald Brecken; Lt. Wilfred St. Onge; Raymond Rogers; Charles Jones; Capt. George Gonsalves; Stanley Frasier. Rear row: Wilfred Fletcher; John Frates; Robert Demanche ; Joseph Borges; Frank Marujo; Joseph Cardoza; Joseph Costa; Arthur Paquette; Lt. Harold Perry; Capt. Clarence Blossom; Kenneth Demoran- ville; Bradford Luther, Jr.
During the past year five (5) new Gamewell Boxes were added to the Fire Alarm System.
Box 242 Birch & Perry
Box 295 Blossom & Stephen
Box 342 Elmwood & Narragansett Blvd.
Box 514 Main & Union
Box 561 Chestnut & Rodman
A considerable amount of changeovers were done for the Utility Companies. The Fire Alarm system is in good con- dition. The north end circuit should be divided in the near future as this circuit is very large. The system now has one hundred five (105) outside boxes. As each section of the Town grows new boxes are installed by the Fire Alarm De- partment.
FRANK ROGERS,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
99
Police Department
Norman D. Shurtleff, Chief
Left to right: Jesse M. Sylvia; Antone Cardoza; Kenneth Wood; Frank Avila; Anthony E. Rose; Alfred Faria; Theodore P. Wolan; Peter Mon- teiro; Victor Brunette; Manuel Duarte; George Hadfield; William Dean; John V. Sylvia; Sgt. Alfred Raphael; Sgt. Manuel Oliveira; Edward Rose; Joseph Govoni; Peter Barcellos; Gilbert Vieira; George Joseph; Leonard Roderick.
100
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I am pleased to present to you the following facts as the 1962 Annual Report of the Fairhaven Police Department.
During the year 3606 complaints were received and acted upon. These and other transactions caused us to record 3722 reports.
The department made 132 arrests for local offenses. Of these 12 were females. Also, 86 arrests were made for out- of-town police. Two of these were Fairhaven corporations and eight were females. Two hundred twenty-nine offenses were involved in the local cases; 114 in the out-of-town transactions.
Our patrol activities revealed 94 doors to be either open or unlocked at times when they should have all been secure. Twenty-two windows were found to be either open or un- locked.
The department effected 666 traffic checkups during the year. Some of these resulted in 104 complaints to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. He notified us of 115 licenses and/or rights being acted against and of nine certificates of registration being suspended or revoked. May was our biggest month in this phase of our work.
We received 345 Class 1 transfer of motor vehicle notices and 626 Class 2 notices.
As this is written early in January we have reports of 62 non-injury but reportable accidents having occurred in 1962 and 109 reports, some partial, of injury accidents. Two hun- dred injuries are already recorded. Accident-wise April and December were the big months.
Stolen property reported in 1962 adds up to $28,065.54 and recoveries amount to $14,075.71. Obtaining these values continues to be one of our frustrating problems.
101
I am glad to report that more and more people are real- izing the significance of many of the problems the men of this department and I face, and I am glad of this opportunity to express our appreciation not only for this understanding but for the help interested citizens are to the department.
I take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks for the honor. and privilege of giving the Town law enforcement since June 30, 1924. My retirement is in process and will be in effect in the very near future. I want to thank the officials and all Town departments, other law enforce- ment agencies, the press, and radio for their co-operation and ever-willing assistance.
Respectfully yours, NORMAN D. SHURTLEFF Chief of Police
102
Planning Board
-
Seated: James Parkinson; Charles R. Dugdale; Victor O. B. Slater, Chairman; Noel B. Couture. Standing: Edward G. Duval; Arnold Cor- reia; Earl L. Holden; Kenneth R. Vining.
The Fairhaven Planning Board held 11 regular and 5 special meetings during 1962.
In addition to these board members attended the follow- ing:
(1) Wareham Planning Board meeting on Master Plan.
(2) Region 6 Planning Board meeting at N. B. Hotel.
(3) Meeting with A. R. A. Administrator.
(4) Meeting with Director of Planning, Dept. of Com- merce.
(5) Mass. Fed. of Pl. Board Meeting, Shine Inn, Chico- pee, Mass.
103
(6) Meeting at N. B. City Hall regarding accelerated Federal Public Works Program.
(7) Meeting at Whites, Westport, with Reg. 6 Boards and Federal and State representatives.
During 1962 the Fairhaven Planning Board held: 1 re- zoning hearing, 1 sub-division hearing, 1 hearing to amend town by-laws, and 5 sign hearings. Numerous study meetings and conferences were held regarding the proposed master plan, the fire-police-civil defense building, trailers, rezoning of marina area, Ft. Phoenix, Coggeshall St. bridge, stand- pipe for No. Fairhaven, purchase of Gidley Research Instit. Building, the Hurricane Dike, and other items.
The chairman continued his service as chairman of the Fairhaven Chamber of Commerce. Incidentally, in his 34th year on the board Mr. Slater was elected chairman for his 24th year.
The board and town felt keenly the loss of Arsene G. Duval, one of the most respected citizens of the town. At a joint meeting with the selectmen, his son, Edward G. Duval was elected to fill the unexpired term.
The board voted to request the town to appropriate $7,000 for its share of the proposed master plan with an article to be placed in the warrant for same. Overall plan is estimated at $28,000 with the federal government providing 75% of the cost.
Numerous street layouts were approved and several were turned down. "Approval of Street Layouts" as authored by the Fairhaven Planning Board continues to prove effective in guiding acceptance on a uniform basis protecting the town against unnecessary expense, by preventing acceptance of layouts not up to standard.
A complete review of the billboard by-law will be under- taken in 1963.
As usual 1962 was again an exceedingly busy year, and
104
served to call attention particularly to the challenging era 1963 will usher in, with its Hurricane Dike, Master Plan, and Waterfront Development.
Once again in closing, the Fairhaven Planning Board fol- lows its usual procedure in urging active participation and interest in town affairs, service on town boards and commit- tees, and awareness of the problems in the community. The Planning Board in its advisory capacity, elected by the voters and governed by statute of the Commonwealth of Mass., al- ways stands ready to aid and assist administrative and en- forcing agencies of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR O. B. SLATER, Chairman KENNETH R. VINING, Vice-Chairman EARL L. HOLDEN, Secretary JAMES PARKINSON NOEL B. COUTURE CHARLES R. DUGDALE ARNOLD CORREIA EDWARD G. DUVAL
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Public Assistance
--
Marion F. Hiller, Social Worker; Claudia I. Schiller, Director of Public Assistance; Edith S. Alden, Social Worker; Joan Freitas, Junior Clerk - Stenographer; Helen Perry, Junior Clerk - Typist; Edith B. Horne, Social Worker; Clara S. Durfee, Junior Clerk - Typist.
A comparison of the case loads of the several categories of public assistance at the beginning and close of the year is as follows:
Case Load January 1, 1962
Case Load December 31, 1962
Old Age Assistance
178
164
Medical Assistance for the Aged
48
50
Aid to Dependent Children
42
48
Disability Assistance
24
22
General Relief
9
14
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Expenditures
Cost of Administration
$ 29,296.08
or 6.8%
Old Age Assistance
168,755.27
39.3%
Medical Assistance for the Aged
110,580.76
25.8%
Aid to Dependent Children
72,253.05
16.3%
Disability Assistance
34,687.47
8.8%
General Relief
13,632.11
3.0%
Total
$429,204.74
100.0%
Medical care represents 43.5% of total expenditures.
Distribution of Costs
Federal Reimbursements
52.7%
State Reimbursements
29.9%
From Cities and Towns
1.1%
Individuals - Recoveries
1.0%
From Local Taxpayer
15.3%
100.0%
Legislation affecting Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged increased exemptions of certain children for support of parents and also increased allowance for travel in budgets of recipients during the past year.
The major objective which public welfare agencies, Fed- eral, State, and Local levels, are expected to achieve in working with public assistance families is: 1. the improve- ment of social services to strengthen family life ; 2. the safe- guarding of children in hazardous home situations, and the reduction of dependence through an effective program of rehabilitation services; and 3. more effective location of deserting parents and prevention of fraud. Particular em- phasis on the above has been made during the past year and will continue into the next, not only for Aid to Depend-
107
ent Children families but also for the aged and disabled in rehabilitation and self-care and self-support.
Diligence has also been exercised to obtain support in cases of separated parents through the courts, thereby less- ening the burden on the taxpayer.
CLAUDIA I. SCHILLER Director of Public Welfare WALTER J. BOROWICZ WALTER SILVEIRA JAMES B. LANAGAN Board of Public Welfare
108
The Millicent Library
A century and a half ago there was no library in Fair- haven. Not until 16 years later, in 1828, was the Fairhaven Lyceum founded by a meeting of young ladies and gentle- men "held at the house of Levi Jenney, Esq. for the purpose of forming themselves into an association for mutual in- struction in the various branches of education". At that time a very commendable resolution was adopted: "That the acquisition of useful knowledge is one of the most profit- able and honorable occupations of the human mind; that it is the only effective means of elevating, purifying and refin- ing society, and of promoting happiness; and that in order to secure this great object, the formation of a society and a regular and systematic appropriation of our time is indis- pensable".
The Lyceum functioned for many years in a hall provided by the Rev. William Gould, pastor of the Congregational Church. In 1860 the Fairhaven Library Association was or- ganized in rooms in the rear of the Post Office. Some twenty years later, there was need for some reorganization and ex- pansion, and a move was made to rooms over the Savings Bank. At that time there were 1,500 volumes in the collec- tion, 73 paying subscribers and a weekly circulation of 100 books. "Owing to his onerous duties, the librarian of the Fairhaven Library has procured a sofa upon which to recline after his labors."
When in 1893 Mr. Rogers had the library built in memory of his daughter, the collection of books and pieces of art from the Association were given to the new library, which housed 10,000 volumes. Now in 1962 the library has grown
109
so that its collection numbers 55,339 volumes and the annual circulation has increased to 116,073. An addition to the building has even been proposed.
After 134 years, the citizens of Fairhaven are privileged to acquire their knowledge within an Italian Renaissance building filled with valuable art objects and priceless rugs through the use of a carefully selected collection "in the various branches of education". This splended atmosphere of learning must be zealously guarded for future genera- tions.
STATISTICAL REPORT THE MILLICENT LIBRARY FAIRHAVEN, MASS. American Library Association Form of Statistics
Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 1962
Name of Library - The Millicent Library Librarian - Rita E. Steele
Town - Fairhaven, Massachusetts Date of Founding - 1893
Population served (1960 census) 14,339
Assessed valuation of town (1961)
$16,852,923
Total number of agencies 10
Consisting of -
Central Library 3 Stations (Bookmobile, King's Daughters Home, Our Lady's Haven)
6 Schools (102 classroom collections)
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 301
Hours open each week for lending 63
Hours open each week for reading 63
110
Book Stock
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Volumes at beginning of year
42,130
12,086
54,216
Volumes added
1,587
619
2,206
Volumes lost or withdrawn
666
417
1,083
Total volumes at end of year
43,051
12,288
55,339
Periodicals currently received
135
Publications issued
Annual report, monthly list of books
Use
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Total volumes loaned
69,951
46,122
116,073
Circulation per capita
8
Circulation per registered borrower
21
Registration
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year
1,211
738
1,949
Total of registered borrowers
3,417
2,079
5,496
Percent registered borrowers of population served
38%
FINANCIAL STATEMENT THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
Report of the Treasurer for the year ended December 31, 1962
December 31, 1961 - Balance on Hand
$ 174.95
Receipts for 1962
Town of Fairhaven
$ 26,986.60
State Aid
3,584.75
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Trust Fund)
3,500.00
Fairhaven Water Company
4,800.00
50 shares of First Safe Deposit National Bank of New Bedford sold
959.85
Miscellaneous
1,529.89
41,361.09
Total
$41,536.04
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Payments
Salaries - Library Staff
$ 22,126.20
Salary - Janitor
3,463.88
Social Security
790.87
Books
6,210.09
Periodicals
868.43
Book Binding
45.33
Library of Congress cards
282.41
Telephone
292.99
Gas and Electricity
864.72
Fuel
1,038.12
Insurance
21.58
Water
20.00
Annual Report
145.00
School Bus
100.00
Library and Office Supplies
2,555.90
New Equipment
907.31
Repairs to Equipment
263.80
Building Maintenance
522.33
Bookmobile Maintenance
783.29
December 31, 1962 - Balance on Hand
41,302.25 $ 233.79
Investments
1,600 shares of Fairhaven Water Company
Endowment with Commonwealth of Massachusetts $100,000.00
Fairhaven Institution for Savings
141.51
150 shares of First Safe Deposit National Bank of New Bedford
(Signed) MARY D. SILVEIRA, Treasurer
Examined and approved
(Signed) J. B. BUCKLEY (Signed) ARTHUR R. KNOX
112
CESQUICENTE
AL
812
1962
1
GAR
TOWN HALL
EN MASS
TAY
SOUVENIR COIN
SESQUICENTENNIAL
REPORT
Sesquicentennial Report
The Sesquicentennial committee was headed by the Select- men operating in conjunction with a governing body of representatives, including one member from each of the six precincts with Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Walter J. Borowicz, as General Chairman. Sub-committees heading the specific groups of entertainment and historical factions formed one of the largest groups Fairhaven has ever wit- nessed.
Fairhaven opened its Sesquicentennial Celebration with Founders' Day that was held on February 22, 1962. The program was held at the Town Hall where pupils of the Rogers School presented a repeat performance of a special town meeting when the Rogers School was accepted as a gift to the Town by Henry Huttleston Rogers. In the evening, an adult program consisted of music by the Fairhaven High School orchestra, reading of the original proclamation of the incorporation of the Town of Fairhaven, copies of which had been sent to all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts and the keynote address "Yesterday's People" was delivered by Everett S. Allen who used interesting facts gleaned from letters, anecdotes, and newsworthy events to demonstrate the individuality that had built Fairhaven. A musical pro- gram with harmonizing of old-time songs concluded the program. Founders' Day was also observed as Student Government Day when from 10 A.M. to 12 A.M. town offi- cials were hosts to students of Fairhaven High School elected by their classmates to "run the town government" for the day.
The principal celebration commenced July 21st and con- cluded July 29th. Each day of the week-long festivity had been given a special name to commemorate a special occas- sion as follows: "Sconticut Indian Day", "John Cooke Day", "Capt. Alexander Winsor Day", "Capt. William H. Whit- field Day", "Henry Huttleston Rogers Day", "Capt. Warren Delano Day", "Capt. Joshua Slocum Day", "Fort Phoenix
114
Day", and "William Bradford (artist) Day". The slogan chosen for the celebration was "Whaleship to Spaceship".
A sixteen member committee of Fairhaven citizens worked together for two years to produce a fifty-three page booklet outlining the past, present, and hopeful future of our town as well as the highligths of the Sesquicentennial Celebration for the week of July 21-29, 1962. Because of his inspiring leadership and skill in bringing this project to a successful conclusion the souvenir program was dedicated to Mr. J. Richard Early, advisor for the endeavor. It was a great satisfaction to the committee that the demand for souvenir programs far exceeded the supply which was ex- hausted before the end of the celebration and a profit was netted to the town.
A student "speakers' bureau" was set up by the Fairhaven High School students to acquaint town organizations with little known facts about their town. Mrs. Marguerite John- son composed a sesquicentennial march for Fairhaven which was premiered at a choral concert presented at the Larch Avenue auditorium of the high school. Gifts of scrimshaw by Milton K. Delano and a Fairhaven sesquicentennial ster- ling silver coin which was one of 100 made to commemorate the town's 150th anniversary, were given to President John F. Kennedy. The scrimshaw was a whale's tooth with a portrait of the President and a facsimile of his signature worked into it. On arrival at Otis Air Force Base, President Kennedy thanked Milton K. Delano and Chairman of Select- men Walter J. Borowicz for the gifts.
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