USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1954 > Part 3
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25 John S. Bragga, Jr. of Dighton and Francine L. Ellis of Leominster, Mass. by Charles Belanger, Priest.
OCTOBER
9 Thomas Caswell Sherman of Dighton and Barbara Jeanne Lincoln of Taunton by James Dolan, Priest.
9 William Pereira of Fall River and Evelyn Carpenter of Dighton by Francis A. McCarthy, Priest.
12 Edward R. Paiva of Dighton and Madeline M. Braga of Dighton by Percy B. Simmons, Justice of the Peace.
NOVEMBER
6 Roger A. Turner, Jr. of Dighton and Thelma M. Reck of Niagara Falls, N. Y. by Thomas F. Walsh, Priest.
13 Edward M. Ferreira of Dighton and Lorraine S. Bel- anger of Lakeville, Mass. by William H. Dolan, Priest.
41
ANNUAL REPORT
13 Everett W. Grassie, Jr. of Rehoboth, Mass. and Joyce L. Costa of Dighton by Manuel A. Oliveira, Minister. Joao DaRosa Tarinha of Dighton and Mary (Ama- ral) Medeiros of Taunton by E. Sousa de Mello, Priest.
20
20 Stephen Costa of Dighton and Ann Murphy of Som- erset by Edward J. Gorman, Priest.
27 Raymond J. Sousa of Dighton and Jeannette Guille- mett of Taunton by Thomas H. Taylor, Priest.
27 Gabriel J. Moitozo of Seekonk and Lorraine H. Silvia of Dighton by Francis A. McCarthy, Priest.
29 Aubrey T. Wilson of Dighton and Eugenia E. (Car- penter) Carpenter of Dighton by Percy B. Simmons, Justice of the Peace.
DECEMBER
18 Cassius A. Cummings of Dighton and Nancy F. Nolet of Taunton by Francis Mckeon, Priest.
22 Richard T. Kelly of East Providence, R. I. and Eliza- beth M. (Boudreau) Sonier of Riverside, R. I. by Percy B. Simmons, Justice of the Peace.
27 Richard B. Barry of Dighton and Olive Audrey Kirk of Dighton by J. Linton Dwyer, Priest.
31 John H. Morrill of Assonet and Ruth G. Hixon of Dighton by S. Howard Davidson, Minister.
42
ANNUAL REPORT
DEATHS RECORDED DURING THE YEAR 1954
Date Name
Y.
M.
D.
JANUARY
4 John Foster Kenyon
85
4
23
17 Elsie C. Perry
70
7
15
FEBRUARY
9 Maria Elizabeth Kimmell
85
4
23
MARCH
6 Georgetta Hunt
90
4
10
9 David Katon
20
4
29
APRIL
6 Howard W. Thomas
78
1
5
10 Benjamin Burt Hathaway
57
4
21
11 Evelyn Watt Somerville
62
5
13
MAY
4 Rosabelle Menard
47
16 Norman E. LaFrance
24
10
24
20 Henry I. Potter
66
2
9
30 Joseph M. Frank
78
JUNE
8 Joao Barboza
74
26 Bertha E. Briggs
74
8
3
JULY
23 Lillian Sherman
83
3
17
AUGUST
5 Ethel H. Childs
58
6
4
31 Walter Everett Hamilton, Sr.
66
2
21
43
ANNUAL REPORT
SEPTEMBER
4 Franklin F. Lawry
70
6
13
OCTOBER
6 Antoinette Silvia
71
7 Harriet W. Walker
89
6
10
21 Alice Drew
87
5
21
DECEMBER
25 Wilbur
1
44
ANNUAL REPORT
JURY LIST - 1954-1955
Name
Occupation
Address
Post Office
Barney, Ervin E.
Retired
Summer St.
No. Dighton No. Dighton
Bell, Joseph
Retired
23 Stoddard Ave.
Boulay, Joseph H.
Clerk
Pleasant St ..
Dighton
Brightman, Alan B. Brown, Lloyd W.
Chemical Worker
Pleasant St ..
Dighton
Brown, Marion DeMello, Manuel S.
Farmer
School Lane
Dighton
Doraz, Anthony
Unemployed
55 Forest St.
No. Dighton
Doraz, Irene J.
Housewife
45 Pearl St.
No. Dighton
Fisher, Alfred R.
Farmer
Elm St.
Dighton
Ford, James
Dye Mach. Operator
90 Main St.
Dighton
Fitzmaurice, Peter Gilbert, Charles Gracia, John
Chemical Operator
Muddy Cove Lane
Dighton
Greenlaw, Henry
Purchasing Agent
Somerset Ave.
Segreganset
Harris, Charles W.
County Agricultural Agt. Somerset Ave.
Somerset Ave.
Segreganset
Harrison, Ella F. B. Horton, Raymond
Farmer
Wellington St.
No. Dighton
Knox, Jean A.
Housewife
Hart St.
Dighton
Ladd, Theodore
Ice Cream Mfgr.
Winthrop St.
Lima, John
Montaup Elec. Co.
67 Brook St.
No. Dighton Dighton No. Dighton
Mason, Charles H.
Maintenance
Somerset Ave.
56 Andrews St. Winthrop St.
No. Dighton No. Dighton
Pires, John
Farmer
Main St.
Dighton
Rose, Madelyn L.
Cloth Folder
Cobb St.
Dighton
Rose, Thomas F.
Truck Farmer
167 Williams St.
No. Dighton
Rubadou, George
Barber
Middle St.
No. Dighton
Sherrington, Anna C. Housewife
53 Chase St.
No. Dighton
Souza, Frank
Maintenance
69 Winter St.
No. Dighton
Virdinlia, Frank
Plumber & Steam Fitter
25 Forest St.
No. Dighton
Walker, Roy F.
Unemployed
218 School St.
No. Dighton
Milkman
28 Park St.
Housewife
73 Elm St.
No. Dighton Dighton
Stationary Fireman
41 School St.
No. Dighton
Painter
35 School St.
No. Dighton
No. Dighton
Housewife
McConville, Harry F. Pierce, Susie M.
Ass't. Engineer
Housekeeper-Cook
45
ANNUAL REPORT
JURORS DRAWN DURING 1954
January 6, 1954-
Alexander Booth, 155 Lincoln Ave .; guard.
James Bacon, Smith St .; retired.
Edwin Broadbent, 228 Lincoln Ave .; textile foreman.
February 3, 1954-
Frank G. Dutra, Somerset Ave .; retired.
March 3, 1954-
Arthur Perry, 164 Smith St .; truck driver.
April 7, 1954-
James C. Silvia, 18 Main St .; truck driver.
May 12, 1954-
Lawrence W. Hixon, Main St .; tree worker.
Thomas F. Rose, Pleasant St .; unemployed.
June 16, 1954-
Mary Rogers, Main St .; press operator.
August 18, 1954-
George Rubadou, Middle St .; barber.
October 6, 1954-
John Lima, 67 Brook St .; Montaup Electric.
Ervin E. Barney, Summer St. ; retired.
October 20, 1954-
Harry F. McConville, 56 Andrews St .; Ass't Engineer.
46
ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
We herewith submit to the citizens of Dighton our An- nual Report for the year 1954 :
Appropriations
Town Appropriations
$337,200.82
Appropriations from Available
Funds 15,225.00
State Parks & Reservations
661.34
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
628.56
Underestimates
147.14
County Tax
10,175.35
Tuberculosis Hospital
4,526.31
Overlay
8,432.60
$376,997.12
Estimated Receipts
Income Tax
$41,520.09
Corporation Tax
33,566.00
Old Age Tax (Meals) Chap. 64B S10
971.32
Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise
24,769.00
Licenses
2,411.00
Fines
184.00
Special Assessments
36.00
Charities (other than federal grants to A. D. C:)
18,911.00
Veterans' Service
1,623.00
Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included)
39,787.00
Libraries
47.00
Interest (on taxes)
261.00
47
ANNUAL REPORT
State Assistance for School Construction 11,792.00
Rent Municipal Building 1,050.00
Overestimates on 1953 County Tax 1,361.59
Overestimates on 1953 Tuberculosis Hospital 216.07
Taken from available Funds
15,225.00
$198,438.07
Total Appropriations
$376,997.12
Total Estimated Receipts 198,438.07
Total Taxes to be raised
$178,559.05
Value of Personal Estate
$ 494,591.00
Assessed Taxes on Personal Estate
20,278.66
Value of Real Estate
3,809,312.00
Assessed Taxes on Real Estate
156,182.39
Number of Polls 1,049
Assessed Taxes on Polls
2,098.00
Total Valuation
4,303,903.00
Number Assessed (other than Polls)
941
Tax Rate $41.00 per M.
Value of Personal Estate
Stock in Trade
Machinery Live Stock
$ 28,300.00 51,300.00 48,366.00
All Other
366,625.00
$494,591.00
Value of Real Estate
Land Only Buildings Only
$ 621,985.00 3,187,327.00
$3,809,312.00
48
ANNUAL REPORT
Taxes for State, County and Town Purposes, Including Overlay
On Personal Estate
On Real Estate
$ 20,278.66 156,182.39 2,098.00
On Polls
$178,559.05
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
$629,250.00
Total Taxes Assessed on Excise
27,204.94
Number of Live Stock
Horses
28
Cows
182
Yearling Steers
13
Heifers
68
Swine
13
Sheep
38
Fowl
13,705
All Other
17
Acres of Land Assessed
12,667
Dwelling Houses
800
North Dighton Fire District
Appropriation
$9,126.12 244.34
$9,370.46
Estimated Receipts
$ 3,354.62
Value of Personal Estate
89,828.00
Taxes Assessed on Personal Estate
368.30
Value of Real Estate
1,377,332.00
Taxes Assessed on Real Estate
5,647.54
Total Assessed Valuation of District
1,467,160.00
Total Assessed Taxes
6,015.84
Total Number Assessed
230
Tax Rate $4.10 per M.
Overlay
49
ANNUAL REPORT
Dighton Electric Light District
Appropriations State Audit Overlay
$3,617.50
33.48
154.23
$3,805.21
Value of Personal Estate
$ 260,402.50
Taxes Assessed on Personal Estate
612.04
Value of Real Estate
1,358,825.00
Taxes Assessed on Real Estate
3,193.17
Total Assessed Valuation of District
1,619,227.50
Total Assessed Taxes
3,805.21
Total Number Assessed
366
Tax Rate $2.35 per M.
Dighton Water District
Total Appropriations
$37,056.15
State Audit
125.57
Overlay
782.81
$37,964.53
Estimated Receipts
20,494.35
Net to be Raised
$17,470.18
Value of Personal Estate
$ 226,772.00
Assessed Taxes on Personal Estate
2,324.97
Value of Real Estate
1,477,520.00
Assessed Taxes on Real Estate
15,145.21
Total Assessed Valuation of District
1,704,292.00
Total Assessed Taxes on Personal and Real
Estate
17,470.18
Total Number Assessed 421
Tax Rate $10.25 per M.
50
ANNUAL REPORT
Exempted Property
Dighton Schools
$ 379,400.00 307,610.00
Bristol County Agricultural School
19,000.00
Library
18,000.00
Fire Department
5,000.00
Police Department
50.00
Sealer of Weights
2,000.00
Highway Department
Cemeteries
1,050.00
Charitable Institutions
70,310.38
Dighton Water District
281,250.00
Somerset Water Department
31,000.00
Churches and Parsonages
135,250.00
$1,250,020.38
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD MENDOZA,
RAYMOND HORTON,
WILLIS BARLOW, Board of Assessors.
REPORT OF GYPSY MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Selectmen :
Trees have been sprayed on the streets of the Town for Gypsy Moth as ordered by the Town and under State super- vision at the cost of $470.00 .. The spraying was done by the Hixon Tree Co.
Fifty tests were made on elm trees suspected of Dutch Elm Disease in 1953 and forty-seven had to be cut down. In 1954, samples were taken on another fifty trees and of these forty-four must be taken down.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. ROSE, Gypsy Moth Superintendent.
51
ANNUAL REPORT
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Motor Excise and Trailer Tax
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
$ 3.38
Added Interest .07
$ 3.45
Credit
Paid Treasurer 3.45
3.45
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
4,813.87
Additional Commitments
2,153.81
Added Interest
28.78
6,996.46
Credit
Abatements
665.69
Paid Treasurer
6,297.83
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
32.94
6,996.46
1954 Commitments
27,204.94
Added Interest
2.04
27,206.98
Credit
Abatements Paid Treasurer Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
670.70
22,464.23
4,072.05
27,206.98
52
ANNUAL REPORT
Poll Taxes
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1954 6.00
6.00
1954 Commitment
2,098.00
2,098.00
Credit
Abatements
424.00
Paid Treasurer
1,654.00
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
20.00
2,098.00
Personal Property Taxes
1951 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
76.67
Added Interest
2.38
79.05
Credit
Abatements
11.56
Paid Treasurer
67.49
79.05
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
210.06
210.06
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
763.65
Added Interest
12.40
776.05
Credit
Paid Treasurer Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
535.78
240.27
776.05
ANNUAL REPORT
53
1954 Commitments Added Interest
20,299.16 2.84
20,302.00
Credit
Abatements
60.89
Paid Treasurer
18,824.54
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
1,416.57
20,302.00
Real Estate Taxes
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
1,110.28
Added Interest
50.62
1,160.90
Credit
Abatements
36.98
Tax Title Account
303.58
Paid Treasurer
820.34
1,160.90
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
35,413.60
Added Interest
1,241.19
36,654.79
Credit
Abatements
23.99
Tax Title Account
289.46
Paid Treasurer
17,047.15
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
19,294.19
36,654.79
1954 Commitments
156,182.39
Added Interest
24.42
156,206,81
54
ANNUAL REPORT
Credit
Abatements Tax Title Account Paid Treasurer Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
2,479.49 424.16
118,964.03
34,339.13
156,206.81
1
NORTH DIGHTON FIRE DISTRICT
Real Estate
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953 $ 17.20
Added Interest 1.10
$ 18.30
Credit
Paid Treasurer 18.30
$ 18.30
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
64.00
Added Interest
1.08
65.08
Credit
Paid Treasurer
42.08
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
23.00
65.08
1954 Commitment
5,647.54
Added Interest
.50
5,648.04
55
ANNUAL REPORT
Credit
Abatements Paid Treasurer Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
12.20
2,627.94
3,007.90
5,648.04
Personal Property
1954 Commitment 368.30
368.30
Credit
Abatements
1.23
Paid Treasurer
264.57
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
102.50
368.30
DIGHTON WATER DISTRICT
Personal Property Taxes
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
$ 65.63
Added Interest
2.85
$ 68.48
Credit
Paid Treasurer
45.49
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
22.99
$ 68.48
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
201.84
Added Interest
2.52
204.36
56
ANNUAL REPORT
Credit
Paid Treasurer
101.56
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
102.80
204.36
1954 Commitments
2,330.10
Added Interest
.36
2,330.46
Credit
Abatements
2.91
Paid Treasurer
2,274.85
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
52.70
2,330.46
Real Estate Taxes
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
149.15
Added Interest
6.35
155.50
Credit
Abatements
.76
Tax Title Account
52.82
Paid Treasurer
101.92
155.50
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
1,280.55
Added Interest
20.22
1,300.77
Credit
Tax Title Account
71.20
Paid Treasurer
789.17
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
440.40
1,300.77
ANNUAL REPORT
57
1954 Commitment Added Interest
15,145.21 3.39
15,148.60
Credit
Abatements
60.48
Tax Title Account
67.67
Paid Treasurer
14,244.96
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
775.49
15,148.60
DIGHTON ELECTRIC LIGHT DISTRICT
Personal Property Taxes
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
$ 16.75
Added Interest
.60
$ 17.35
Credit
Paid Treasurer
8.80
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
8.55
$ 17.35
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
24.89
Added Interest
.29
25.18
Credit
Paid Treasurer
12.02
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
13.16
25.18
1954 Commitment
613.22
Added Interest
.07
613.29
58
ANNUAL REPORT
Credit
Abatements Paid Treasurer Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
2.47
603.32
7.50
613.29
Real Estate
1952 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
15.68
Added Interest
.71
16.39
Credit
Tax Title Account
4.14
Paid Treasurer
12.25
16.39
1953 Balance due Dec. 31, 1953
183.68
Added Interest
3.36
187.04
Credit
Tax Title Account
4.06
Paid Treasurer
137.13
Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
45.85
187.04
1954 Commitment
3,193.17
Added Interest
.50
3,193.67
59
ANNUAL REPORT
Credit
Abatements Tax Title Account
7.87
2.94
Paid Treasurer Balance due Dec. 31, 1954
3,042.27
140.59
3,193.67
Respectfully submitted, PERCY B. SIMMONS, Town Collector.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Board of Selectmen :
Herewith is my report as Tree Warden for the year 1954.
I have made inspections with the Hixon Tree Company, New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Taunton Electric Light Company.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. GOFF, Tree Warden.
60
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my annual report as Superintendent of Streets :
General Account
Various streets, cleaning out catch basins, brush,
tree work, scraping and graveling $2,225.01
Snow plowing and sanding 1,164.60
Material, work on chains and axes
123.40
Snow plow 413.65
Beacon
36.00
Superintendent of Streets
240.00
$4,202.66
Chapter 81:
Centre St .- Shoulders, drainage, brush, patch- ing and tarring $ 583.77
Chestnut St .- Excavating, graveling, scraping drainage, brush and ledge
3,726.95
Cobb's Lane-Graveling 138.23
Elm St .- Shoulders, drainage, scraping, gravel- ing, patching, brush, tarring, guard rail and washout 1,476.82
Hart St .- Shoulders, drainage, scraping, graveling, and washout 385.19
Horton St .- Shoulders, excavating, scraping, brush and graveling 1,927.38
Lincoln Ave .- Shoulders, patching, tarring and brush 1,484.25
Main St .- Shoulders, drainage and brush 423.60
Middle St .- Tarring and brush 164.04
Milk St .- Tarring and brush 333.47
61
ANNUAL REPORT
Pine St .- Tarring and brush
205.13
School Lane-Tarring and brush
222.47
Spring St .- Patching, shoulders and drainage
169.20
Tremont St .- Patching, tarring, shoulders, scrap- ing, drainage, excavating, graveling, brush and pipe 6,384.48
Williams St .- Patching, tarring, scraping, drainage, brush and catch basins 1,113.35
Winter St .- Tarring and shoulders
153.27
Various Sts .- Tarring, scraping, graveling, should- ers, patching and brush 1,923.62
$20,824.22
Chapter 90:
Centre St .- Tarring and drainage
$ 607.52
Williams St .- Drainage
4,320.91
Berkley Bridge Pier
171.44
$5,099.87
Respectfully submitted, HENRY P. GOFF, Superintendent of Streets.
62
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIGHTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the report for the Dighton Fire Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The Department received 86 calls as follows:
Type
Number
Auto accident
1
Auto
4
Barn
2
Brush
7
Chimney
5
Dump
13
False Alarm
1
Flooded oil burner
1
Garage
1
Grass
26
Grease
2
Greenhouse
1
Hay Stack
1
House
1
Inflammable Cement
1
Live Wires
3
Mattress
2
Needless Calls
2
Overheated Oven
1
Rubbish
3
Woods
4
Mutual Aid :
Taunton
3
Berkley
1
63
ANNUAL REPORT
The following are approximate figures on the amount of water pumped, hose laid, and ladders raised :
43,985 gallons of water
11,350 ft. booster hose 4,900 ft. 11/8" hose 3,950 ft. 11/2" hose
1,400 ft. 21/2" hose 136 ft. ladders
A new 600 gallon tank truck with a 500 G.P.M. pump was delivered, tested and put into service on January 21, 1954. We now have two tank trucks with a total capacity of 1,000 gallons.
On the evening of May 16, a call was received for an auto accident which resulted in death to the driver by fire. This is the first death by fire for many years.
Drills on the various phases of fire fighting were held monthly and were well attended.
On August 31, Hurricane Carol arrived, causing untold damage, flooding cellars and wells along the water front. With loss of power and the streets blocked by fallen trees, both Fire Stations were manned twenty-four hours a day. During this period, thirty-eight cellars and seventeen wells were pumped out by the Department.
Again, on September 11, we were hit by a hurricane- Edna. This time we were much better off than after the first hurricane. Rain flooded forty cellars and eleven wells which were pumped out by the Department.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Town Officials and the Citizens of the Town for their assistance and fine co- operation in keeping the fire losses down during the year.
Respectfully submitted, DONALD B. HATHAWAY, Chief of Dighton Fire Department and Forest Warden.
64
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIGHTON AMBULANCE
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the report for the Dighton Ambulance for the year ending December 31, 1954.
During the year the ambulance made 51 trips as fol- lows:
To Morton Hospital-Taunton 30
Taunton State Hospital 1
St. Anne's Hospital-Fall River 2
Union Hospital-Fall River 1
Fall River General Hospital 1 Veterans' Hospital-Boston 2
New England Baptist Hospital-Boston 1
Deaconess Hospital-Boston 1
St. Luke's Hospital-New Bedford 1
2
Sturdy Memorial Hospital-Attleboro Veterans' Hospital-Providence, R. I. 1
4
From Morton Hospital-Taunton Union Hospital-Fall River
1
Called-not needed 3
Patients handled 52
Cases of Illness 42
Victims of Automobile Accidents 4
Occupational Accidents 6
The resuscitator was used three times.
I wish to thank the officers and members of the Dighton Fire Department who have so willingly manned the ambu- lance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD B. HATHAWAY, Chief of Dighton Fire Department.
65
ANNUAL REPORT
DIGHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT
To the Selectmen of the Town of Dighton :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1954:
Total circulation of books and magazines 13,157
Adult books 6,096
Juvenile books 6,301
Magazines
670
Number of persons using reading room
715
Collected in fines $41.56
During the year 308 new books were added, 23 of which were gifts.
Respectfully submitted, HELENA CHAMBERLAIN, Librarian.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1954:
I have tested, adjusted and sealed the following :
22 Scales-6 adjusted.
12 Weights.
9 Capacity Measures.
20 Automatic Measuring Devices.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD B. HATHAWAY, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
66
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith the report for the Police Department from October 6, 1954, through the year ending December 31, 1954.
The following is a list of arrests made in Dighton by the State Police officers during 1954:
Fe- Male male
Drunk
18
Operating to endanger
5
Operating under influence
8
Keeping and Exposing Alcohol
1
Assault and Battery
5
Trespassing
1
Contempt of Court
1
Operating after revocation
2
Operating uninsured car
2
Operating unregistered car
2
Attaching plates
1
Violation of probation
1
Speeding
8
Assault with Dangerous Weapon
2
Operating without license
3
Operating without registration in possession Insane Person
1
Gaming on Lord's Day
13
Being present at Gaming
13
Possessing dangerous weapon
1
Rape
1
Operating after suspension
1
A. W. O. L.
1
1
67
ANNUAL REPORT
October 6, 1954-December 31, 1954:
Drunkenness
1
Non-support
1
Motor Vehicle Violations Booked
15
Prosecutions
2
Warnings issued
34
Complaints Received and Investigated
63
Automobile Accidents :
Property Damage only
12
Persons Injured
6
Hunting Accidents :
Fatalaties
1
Injured
1
Ambulance Calls :
5
Automobile Injuries
2
Residents Transported to Hospital
3
Summons Served for Other Police Depts.
7
Peddler's Permits Issued
2
Gun Permits Issued
11
The Town of Dighton was awarded a Plaque by the Registry of Motor Vehicles-which was received in the Town's behalf-for no fatal accidents during the year 1953.
The Reserve Police Officers did a fine job during the Taunton Dog Track Meet directing traffic to and from the track, etc. Thousands of visitors came to this track during the fifty day meet and no serious accidents or breaches of the peace were reported.
On the occasions when the Dighton Ambulance was called it reported promptly and very efficient service was rendered by its' crew.
Residents of the Dighton Rock area were evacuated during Hurricane "Hazel". Some were housed in the High School during the height of the storm. Extra police officers were on duty, and no serious problems arose.
68
ANNUAL REPORT
There were many complaints received during the Hal- lowe'en celebration such as damage to School property, tear- ing down drain pipes from houses, and placing road blocks on various streets. In one instance, a motorist hit a tree in order to avoid a large boulder. It caused considerable dam- age to the motorist's car, but no personal injuries were sus- tained. It is hoped that everyone will cooperate to the ex- tent that this will not happen in the future, as it could result in the loss of life.
By the time that this report is published the Dighton Police Department will be located in the Girl Scout Build- ing on Somerset Avenue opposite the Dighton High School. All residents should feel free to call upon the Police Depart- ment at any time-day or night-no matter how small their problem or complaint might seem.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the townspeople in Digh- ton for the many courtesies accorded me since accepting this position.
I will endeavor to serve the Town of Dighton efficiently and to the best of my ability.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. CARLSTROM, Chief of Police.
DOGS LICENSED IN 1954
Male
245
Female
3.5
Spayed
67
Kennel
7
354
69
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE
To the Townspeople of Dighton :
Your Civil Defense department was without a director during the hurricanes of 1954, Mr. Crawford having re- signed early in August. Civil Defense functions were carried out under the leadership of your Board of Selectmen (them- selves short handed) and the able work of the fire and po- lice departments and several local groups of citizens.
For 1955 we propose to try to accomplish three things:
1. To inform the people of Dighton of all the latest thinking and developments in the Civil Defense program as sent to us by our State and National organizations.
2. To try to reorganize and revitalize the department at least to the extent where all the top positions of the va- rious civil defense functions will be filled by active, inter- ested and informed personnel.
3. To maintain an active and well equipped headquar- ters where latest news will be available to the public.
Respectfully submitted, STAFFORD H. HAMBLY, Civil Defense Director of Dighton.
70
ANNUAL REPORT
AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Citizens and Taxpayers of the Town of Dighton :
Herewith is a report of the financial transactions of the Town of Dighton for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1954.
Classification of Treasurer's Receipts for 1954
Cash Balance as of January 1, 1954 $124,621.64
Received from Town Collector :
1951 Personal Property Taxes $ 65.11
1952 Real Estate Taxes 769.72
1953 Personal Property Taxes 523.38
1953 Real Estate Taxes 15,805.96
1954 Personal Property Taxes 18,821.70
1954 Real Est. Taxes 118,939.61
1954 Poll Taxes 1,654.00
-$156,579.48
1952 Motor Veh. Excise 3.38
1953 Motor Veh. Excise 6,269.05
1954 Motor Vehicle
Excise 22,462.19
28,734.62
Tax Titles
206.22
Tax Possessions
225.00
Interest on Taxes :
Real Estate 1,316.23
Personal Property 17.62
Tax Titles 2.62
71
ANNUAL REPORT
Motor Vehicle Excise 30.89
1,367.36
Total Collector's Receipts
187,112.68
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Income Tax
9,900.00
Corp. Tax-Business
32,469.46
Meals Tax
1,195.73
School Bldg. Aid- Chap. 645 11,792.02
School Aid-Chap. 70
34,733.47
School Transportation
11,797.36
Vocational Education
6,466.49
Child Welfare Tuition 934.51
School Superintendency 4,853.32
114,142.36
Departmental Receipts :
Town Nurse Receipts
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