Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1954, Part 3

Author: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 150


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1954 > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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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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