Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1959, Part 3

Author: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1959
Publisher: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 162


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1959 > Part 3


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Joseph A. Allie, Muddy Cove, Dighton, Self-employed.


October 7, 1959


John Gracia, Muddy Cove, Dighton, Chem. Opr.


November 4, 1959


James V. Heywood, 251 School St., No. Dighton, Credit & Office Mgr.


December 14, 1959


James C. Sylvia, 18 Main St., Dighton, Truck Driver.


37


ANNUAL REPORT


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS


Our annual report to the citizens of Dighton for the year of 1959 is as follows:


Appropriations


To be raised by taxation


$464,903.73


To be taken from available funds:


Voted in 1958


$3,043.88


Voted in 1959 57,781.96


60,825.84


Overdrawn accounts in 1958


4,324.65


State taxes


4,878.60


County tax and underestimates


17,546.16


Tuberculosis Hospital assessment


9,625.30


Overlay


14,630.29


Amount to be raised


$576,734.57


Estimated Receipts


Income tax


52,886.71


Corporation taxes


31,641.00


Old Age tax


1,257.07


Motor vehicle and trailer excise


40,989.78


Licenses


3,026.35


Fines


59.20


Charities


2,546.73


Old age assistance


24,390.34


Veterans' services


1,940.67


School


59,669.97


Interest


829.03


State assistance for


school construction


11,792.02


Farm animal excise


200.52


Overestimates of 1958


20.51


Transferred from available funds


60,825.84


Total estimated receipts


$292,075.74


Net amount to be raised by taxes


$284,658.83


38


ANNUAL REPORT


Number of Polls-1060


Taxes assessed on Polls


$2,120.00


Value of Personal


Property $535,592.00


Taxes assessed


on Personal


31,600.00


Value of Real Estate 4,253,192.00


Taxes assessed


on Real Estate


250,938.83


Total Valuation


$4,788,784.00


Total Taxes


$284,658.83


Tax Rate-$59.00 per M


Total number of persons assessed


1,128


Number of acres of land assessed


11,572


Number of Dwelling houses assessed


930


Number of businesses assessed


49


Value of exempt property


$2,002,237.00


Stock in trade


$57,675.00


Machinery


$27,200.00 $6,958.75


All other tangible personal property


$443,759.00


Value of land


$662,180.00


Value of buildings


$3,591,112.00


Number of horses


3


Number of cattle


11


Number of sheep


16


Number of fowl 3,675


Taxes assessed on motor vehicles and trailers


$35,640.36


North Dighton Fire District


Appropriations


$18,321.00


State Audit


91.74


Overlay


400.48


Amount to be raised


$18,813.22


Estimated receipts


10,849.50


10,849.50


Net amount to be raised by taxes


$7,963.72


Livestock


39


ANNUAL REPORT


Value of personal property $28,175.00


Taxes on personal


$147.92


Value of real estate 1,488,627.00


Taxes on real estate


7,815.80


Total valuation


$1,516,802.00


Total taxes


$7,963.72


Tax Rate-$5.25 per M


Dighton Electric Light District


Appropriations


$3,697.50


State Audit


44.48


Overlay


114.42


Gross amount to be raised


$3,856.40


Estimated receipts


None


Net amount to be raised by taxes


$3,856.40


Value of personal property $311,718.00


Taxes on personal


$654.63


Value of real estate $1,524,400.00


Taxes on real estate


3,201.77


Total valuation


$1,836,118.00


Total taxes


$3,856.40


Tax Rate-$2.10 per M


Dighton Water District


Appropriations


$44,956.45


Transferred from available funds


1,136.28


State Audit


136.29


Overlay


631.77


Gross amount to be raised


$46,860.79


Estimated receipts


17,708.76


Transfers


1,136.28


18,845.04


Net amount to be raised


$28,015.75


40


ANNUAL REPORT


Value of personal property $317,868.00


Taxes on personal


$4,211.82


Value of real estate Taxes on real estate


1,796,460.00


23,803.93


Total valuation


$2,114,328.00


Total taxes


$28,015.75


Water Liens added to taxes


57.27


Tax Rate-$13.25 per M


Respectfully submitted, HAROLD MENDOZA HOWELL S. CARR LEO T. PIVIROTTO


PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT


To the Selectmen of the Town of Dighton:


I herewith submit my report for the year 1959.


Total circulation of books and magazines 17,043


Adult books 9,023


Juvenile books 7,498


Magazines 522


Number of persons using reading room 904 Collected in fines $52.03


During the year 251 books were added, twelve of which were gifts.


Respectfully submitted,


EMILY C. PILLING, Librarian


1959


THE SOURCE OF THE TAX $


Taxes and Revenue


Total


%


Motor Vehicle Revenue


$ 29,671.49


5.


Polls, Personal and Real Estate


277,553.31


47.2


Public Assistance Revenue


31,974.62


5.4


U. S. Grants


24,009.53


4.2


Commonwealth of Massachusetts:


Misc. Taxes, School Aid and Transportation


140,234.45


24.


School Revenue (Tuition)


25,864.84


4.3


Highway Revenue


51,346.98


8.7


Miscellaneous :


Interest, Licenses, Refunds


7,062.74


1.2


$587,717.96


100.00


THE SOURCE OF THE REAL ESTATE TAX $


Taxes


%


Industry


$ 88,792.46


31.34


Public Utilities


28,656.83


10.12


Individuals


165,894.31


58.54


$283,343.60


100.00


THE TOP 3 OF INDUSTRY


Name


Amount of % of Total


Taxes


Real Estate


Dighton Industries, Inc.


$ 37,112.89


13.11


Arnold Hoffman Co.


35,618.30


12.60


Taunton Greyhound Assoc.


15,445.90


5.45


Average Individual Taxes


$152.62


y


TAX COLECTOR'S REPORT


1956


1957


1958


1959


Personal Property


Outstanding December 31, 1958 Commitment Added Interest


$29.40


$91.22


$450.99


$31,617.70


1.10


2.11


6.86


.80


Total


30.50


93.33


457.85


31,618.50


Paid Treasurer


30.50


37.71


297.44


30,713.21


Abatements


1.62


413.00


Balance due December 31, 1959


54.00


160.41


492.29


Total


30.50


93.33


457.85


31,618.50


Real Estate


Outstanding December 31, 1958


2,182.87


10,810.87


Commitment


251,040.61


Added Interest


133.67


205.42


26.44


Refunded abatements


182.90


236.00


Total


2,316.54


11,199.19


251,303.05


Paid Treasurer


2,217.18


7,715.88


235,129.79


Abatements


85.86


192.64


5,222.39


ANNUAL REPORT


41


1956


1957


1958


1959


42


Tax Title Account Balance due December 31, 1959


13.50


97.35


286.16


3,193.32


10,664.71


Total


2,316.54


11,199.19


251,303.05


Poll Taxes


Outstanding December 31, 1958


12.00


30.00


Commitment


2,120.00


Added Interest


.35


.45


1.25


Added Fees


.85


21.95


Total


12.35


31.30


2,143.20


Paid Treasurer


12.35


19.30


1,781.20


Abatements


6.00


290.00


Balance due December 31, 1959


6.00


72.00


Total


12.35


31.30


2,143.20


Farm Animal Excise


Outstanding December 31, 1958


24.75


Commitment


200.52


Added Interest


.55


.01


Total


25.30


200.53


ANNUAL REPORT


1956


1957


1958


1959


25.30


179.90


20.63


Total


25.30


200.53


Motor Vehicle Excise


Outstanding December 31, 1958


139.34


912.97


4,912.62


Commitment


480.57


35,640.36


Added Interest


6.24


15.06


57.01


.27


Refunded Abatement


132.06


424.57


Total


145.58


928.03


5,582.26


36,065.20


Paid Treasurer


97.64


469.52


4,534.34


24,648.57


Abatements


662.81


1,564.71


Balance due December 31, 1959


47.94


458.51


385.11


9,851.92


Total


145.58


928.03


5,582.26


36,065.20


North Dighton Fire District-Personal


Outstanding December 31, 1958 Commitment


10.50


10.50


147.93


Added Interest


40


Total


10.90


10.50


147.93


43


ANNUAL REPORT


Paid Treasurer Balance due December 31, 1959


1956


1957


1958


1959


44


Paid Treasurer Balance due December 31, 1959


10.90


136.90


10.50


11.03


Total


10.90


10.50


147.93


North Dighton Fire District-Real Estate


Outstanding December 31, 1958


61.00


299.00


Commitment


7,815.80


Added Interest


3.64


4.91


.84


Total


64.64


303.91


7,816.64


Paid Treasurer


64.64


237.66


7,539.94


Balance due December 31, 1959


66.25


276.70


Total


64.64


303.91


7,816.64


North Dighton Fire District-Water Liens


Outstanding December 31, 1958


135.19


Added Interest


1.93


Total


137.12


Paid Treasurer


123.92


Balance due December 31, 1959


13.20


Total


137.12


ANNUAL REPORT


1956


1957


1958


1959


Dighton Water District-Personal Property


Outstanding December 31, 1958 Commitment Added Interest


11.14


17.52


29.94


4,215.80


.68


.40


79


.15


Total


11.82


17.92


30.73


4,215.95


Paid Treasurer


11.82


5.30


24.54


4,060.33


Abatements


.37


92.75


Balance due December 31, 1959


12.25


6.19


62.87


Total


11.82


17.92


30.73


4,215.95


Dighton Water District-Real Estate


Outstanding December 31, 1958


242.72


932.95


Commitment


23,825.13


Added Interest


15.07


16.19


2.08


Total


257.81


949.14


23,827.21


Paid Treasurer


251.67


614.69


22,101.57


Abatements


6.14


2.00


2.66


Tax Title Account


14.00


26.51


Balance due December 31, 1959


318.45


1,696.47


Total


257.81


949.14


23,827.21


ANNUAL REPORT


45


1956


1957


1958


1959


46


Dighton Water District-Water Liens Outstanding December 31, 1958 Commitment Added Interest


825.27


37.62


57.27


Total


825.27


37.62


57.27


Paid Treasurer Tax Title Account


825.27


Balance due December 31, 1959


37.62


57.27


Total


825.27


37.62


57.27


Dighton Electric Light District-Personal Property


Outstanding December 31, 1958


2.28


3.01


4.29


Commitment


655.26


Added Interest


17


.05


10


.04


Total


2.45


3.06


4.39


655.30


Paid Treasurer


2.45


91


3.09


630.64


Abatement


14.70


Balance due December 31, 1959


2.15


1.30


9.96


Total


2.45


3.06


4.39


655.30


ANNUAL REPORT


1956


1957


1958


1959


Dighton Electric Light District-Real Estate Outstanding December 31, 1958 Commitment Added Interest


31.70


149.78


3,205.13


2.17


2.21


.37


Total


33.87


151.99


3,205.50


Paid Treasurer


33.43


91.74


3,030.76


Abatements


44


.42


.42


Tax Title Account


2.94


4.20


Balance due December 31, 1959


56.89


170.12


Total


33.87


151.99


3,205.50


Respectfully submitted,


PERCY B. SIMMONS, Tax Collector


ANNUAL REPORT


47


48


ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT


Street Department


Superintendent of Streets and Expenses


$ 240.00


Beacons


227.30


Snow Plowing and Sanding


2,458.02


Equipment, Signs and Repairs


4,272.48


Traffic lines on Streets


500.00


Labor and Materials billed to Water Dept.


1,295.00


Various Streets, Miscellaneous


3,866.74


$12,859.54


Road Machinery


Equipment, Gas, Oil, Miscellaneous


$ 3,985.19


Chapter 90-Elm St.


Elm St. Construction 1958


$ 298.96


Elm St. Construction 1959


36,255.82


$36,554.78


Highway Garage Construction


Payrolls


$ 1,443.22


Equipment, Materials, Supplies


7,682.11


$9,125.33


Chapter 90-Maintenance


Center St.


$ 32.00


Elm St.


422.75


Lincoln Ave.


92.30


Main St.


954.27


Pleasant St.


59.40


Spring St.


841.47


Wellington St.


48.00


Williams St.


2,649.29


$ 5,099.48


49


ANNUAL REPORT


Chapter 81


Andrews St.


33.40


Bedford St.


25.20


Brook St.


650.95


Briggs St.


44.90


Cedar St.


185.60


Center St.


3,776.93


Chase St.


118.80


Chace Ave.


381.14


Chestnut St.


238.00


Cobbs Lane


12.80


Elm St.


578.51


Forest St.


111.80


Hart St.


278.30


Horton St.


191.60


Lewis St.


46.20


Lincoln Ave.


928.65


Main St.


667.90


Maple St.


58.85


Milk St.


1,317.84


Millers Lane


83.00


Middle St.


600.99


Mt. Hope St.


27.20


Muddy Cove


8.00


North St.


16.65


Oak St.


70.85


Park St.


79.60


Pearl St.


79.60


Pleasant St.


919.65


Pine St.


20.00


Prospect St.


27.20


School St.


113.00


Smith St.


3,351.48


Somerset Ave.


66.40


Spring St.


423.40


Riverside Ave.


12.80


Summer St.


288.80


Rose Terrace


12.80


Tremont St.


40.00


54


ANNUAL REPORT


To cope with this, we have started a series of road blocks, which have shown good results and will be continued.


During the year there were several breaks in town. With the cooperation of the State Police and other Police Depart- ments, these breaks have been solved and the men responsible are now in custody awaiting trial.


During the year I have attended conferences with Police Chiefs and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. This has been most helpful in maintaining mutual aid between cities and towns.


Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. MASON, Chief of Police


REPORT OF DOG OFFICER


To the Board of Selectmen:


All complaints of dogs were taken care of satisfactorily.


I received a communication from Mr. Albert Coimbra, Bristol County Dog Officer, on November 13, 1959 that on January 18, 1960 all impounded dogs that have been held for the required ten days according to Chapter 140, Section 151, will be turned over to Mr. Kenneth Kaligian for delivery to the animal farm at Harvard Medical School where they will be disbursed to schools and laboratories as shown in Chapter 298, 49-A-272 Acts of 1957.


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES H. MASON, Dog Officer


55


ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE DIRECTOR


To the Townspeople of Dighton:


A radioactivity course, given by Mrs. Ethel Bickford, was held at the No. Fire Station in January: All of the regular firemen took advantage of this course.


In February an auxiliary police force was formed, selected by the Civil Defense Director, approved by the Selectmen and sworn in by the chief of police. Although they are volunteers, they work with the regular Police Department and deserve our cooperation. Members of the Civil Defense Auxiliary Police force are Frank Vincent, Capt .; Manuel Syl- via, Lieut .; John Evangelho, John White, Arthur Manley, George Gray, William Costa, Anthony Andrews, Joseph Vin- cent, Henry Descoteaux, John Fernandes, and Apolonio Ortiz.


The radio communication system has been set up with the town office; Mr. Emery Lincoln, radio officer; Mr. Allison Macomber, alternate; and headquarters at 111 Forest Street. Morning drills were held between headquarters and the town office and also fifty-two evening drills.


During the two day statewide Civil Defense drill in April, all Dighton Civil Defense personnel participated, including auxiliary police, communications system, regular police, fire- men and schools.


With the help of school officials, Civil Defense has con- tinued its program of drilling school children to be prepared for emergencies.


Civil Defense has acquired from government surplus, a 250 bed complete emergency hospital unit valued at $32,000 at no cost to the Town of Dighton. This unit is stored in the Veterans' Memorial Hall, and is to be used for emergency purposes only.


I would like to thank the town officials, school officials.


52


ANNUAL REPORT


A mutual aid drill was held at No. Dighton along Lincoln Avenue in July. Sixteen cities and towns participated.


Oxygen was administered to a fireman who was overcome by smoke during one of the wood fires.


A very successful Christmas party for the children of the town was held at the North Station on Sunday, December 20, 1959.


I wish to thank the Town Officials and the Citizens of our town for the assistance and cooperation they have shown in keeping the fire losses to a minimum during the year.


Respectfully submitted, HARRY F. WILLIS, Chief, Dighton Fire Dept. and Forest Warden


REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER


To the Board of Selectmen:


Boating activity continues at a strong pace. Our harbor area is being used to its maximum. There are some plans afoot for increased dockage, which may help some of the congestion.


An adequate launching area for the use of the towns- people should be considered.


Respectfully submitted, ARNOLD B. SHAW, Harbor Master


58


ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :


I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1959.


The following arrests were made by the Dighton Police Department: Assault & Battery (5), Disturbing the peace (4), Non-support (1), Malicious destruction (2), Assault with intent to rape (1), Mental Escapee (1), Drunk (7), Violating fireworks law (1), Delinquent runaway (2), Vagrancy (2), Leaving scene, property damage (1), Oper. to endanger (3), Oper. Unreg. & uninsured (1)-Stolen Autos recovered (5), Stolen property recovered (5), Missing persons located (10), Warrants served (10), Summons served (44), Complaints in- vestigated (273), Requests taken care of (218). Eight gun permits were issued to carry and four permits issued to sell.


The following arrests were made by the State Police: Speeding (12), Oper. after right susp. (2), Oper. defective equip. (1), Oper. w/o lic. (3), Passing, view obstructed (4), Oper. after suspension (1), Oper. under influence (3), Oper. to endanger (1), Leaving scene, property damage (1), Failing to allow car to pass (1), Vagrancy (3), Delinquent runaway (2), Insane person (1), Escape mental (1), Drunk (7), Viola- ting fireworks law (1), Malicious destruction (1), Disturbing the peace (2), Assault with intent to rape (1).


I wish to thank the Town Officials and citizens of Dighton for their cooperation in maintaining order in our Town.


I also wish to thank the Reserve Officers for handling their different assignments throughout the year, as well as the State Police under Sergeant McGuire of the Rehoboth Barracks for the cooperation and very valuable assistance they have given me.


While there was an increase in traffic this year, there were very few accidents. Speeding is the cause of most accidents.


50


ANNUAL REPORT


Walker St.


23.30


Water St.


43.35


Wellington St.


572.99


Wheeler St.


2,502.87


Williams St.


861.37


Winter St.


16.70


Cleaning Catch Basins


665.60


Miscellaneous


249.12


$20,824.09


Gravel Roads


Rose Terrace


595.99


Wheeler St.


12,535.08


Miscellaneous


2,220.24


$15,251.31


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :


I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1959.


I have tested, adjusted and sealed the following:


27 scales-10 adjusted


5 weights


6 capacity measures


11 automatic measuring devices


4 bulk milk storage tanks


Respectfully submitted, DONALD B. HATHAWAY, Sealer of Weights and Measures


51


ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF THE DIGHTON FIRE DEPARTMENT


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :


I hereby submit the following report of the Dighton Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1959.


The Department received 88 calls as follows: Chimney Fires (2), Inhalator for baby in automobile D.O.A. (1), Barns (2), Brush (16), Bon-fire (1), Buildings(6), Dump (1), False alarms (3), Grass (27), Greenhouse (1), Industrial lift truck (1), Leaking acid (1), Mutual aid to Taunton (2), Needless calls (3), Oil burners (2), Rubbish (4), Rags in truck (1), Storage (1), Transformers (1), Wash road, gasoline spilled from tank truck (1), Wash glass and gasoline from road, results of accidents (4), Woods (7).


The following are approximate figures on the amount of materials and equipment used: 31,150 gallons of water, 11,050 feet of Booster hose, 12,350 feet of Forestry hose, 4,650 feet of 11/2" hose, 4,450 feet of 21%" hose, 172 feet ladders, 18 hydrants.


Permits issued : Bottled gas (11), Oil burners (48), Ex- plosives (6).


In July we received a call for aid from Taunton Fire De- partment to assist at the fire at Grossman's Storage and Sales Building. Engine #1 was dispatched, later a generator was sent to aid in the lighting.


Taunton Fire Department loaned Dighton Scott air tanks to use as our tanks became exhausted during the acid fume condition at Arnold Hoffman Co. caused by acid leak.


. During the threat of a hurricane or bad storm in October, preparations were made to render whatever assistance might be required of the Department


56


ANNUAL REPORT


chief of police, police department, fire department, civil de- fense personnel and all others who have assisted me.


Respectfully submitted, FRED E. REBELLO, Civil Defense Director


REPORT OF THE DIGHTON AMBULANCE


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I hereby submit the following report of the Dighton Am- bulance for the year ending December 31, 1959.


During the year the ambulance made 80 trips as follows : To-Beth Israel Hospital, Boston (1) ; Bristol County Hospi- tal, Attleboro (1); Brooks Memorial Hospital, Boston (1) ; Boston Dispensary, Boston (1) ; Childrens' Medical Center, Boston (1) ; General Hospital, Fall River (1) ; Mass. General Hospital, Boston (1) ; Morton Hospital, Taunton (40) ; Rest and Nursing Homes (4) ; St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River (2) ; St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford (1) ; Taunton State Hospi- tal, Taunton (2) ; Truesdale Hospital, Fall River (4) ; Union Hospital, Fall River (3). From-Beth Israel Hospital, Boston (1); Mass. General Hospital, Boston (1) ; Morton Hospital, Taunton (4) ; Rest and Nursing Homes (2) ; Patients handled (84), Patients administered oxygen (8), Patients D.O.A. (2), Automobile accidents (7), Patients removed by other means ; oxygen administered, patient not moved or D.O.A. (9).


I wish to thank the Officers and members of the Dighton Fire Department who have manned the ambulance during the year.


Respectfully submitted, HARRY F. WILLIS, Chief, Dighton Fire Department


57


ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


To the Board of Selectmen:


On April 15, 1959, I was notified of my appointment and approval by Dr. Samuel B. Kirkwood, Commissioner of Public Health, as inspector of slaughtering for the Town of Dighton for the year ending March 31, 1960.


A report has been mailed to the Department of Public Health, Boston, Mass., monthly. I have not been called upon for any inspections.


Respectfully submitted, ANTHONY N. SYLVIA, Inspector of Slaughtering


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


To the Board of Selectmen:


The report of the Inspector of Animals for the year 1959 is as follows:


I visited and inspected 48 barns and found the following number of animals :


Cows


272


Heifers


107


Bulls


7


Horses


15


Sheep


85


Swine


53


Steers


8


Goats


5


The animals appeared healthy and the barns for the most part were clean. The inspection book was mailed to the Division of Livestock Disease Control, 41 Tremont Street, Boston, on December 19, 1959.


Respectfully submitted,


ANTHONY N. SYLVIA, Inspector of Animals


58


ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


To the Citizens of Dighton :


The Public Assistance Program was administered for the various categories of relief in the usual manner according to State Standards of Assistance.


Aid to Dependent Children aided 3 cases, representing 7 persons with total expenditures of $6,196.38. The Town ap- propriation of $3,800.00 was exceeded by the sum of $338.88, which was transferred from the unexpended balance of Dis- ability Assistance. The amount of $2,057.50 was received from U. S. Grants, with State reimbursement amounting to $1,922.66.


Disability Assistance aided 6 cases, with total expendi- tures of $6,335.06. The Town appropriation of $3,000.00 was insufficient; therefore, the sum of $1,000.00 was transferred from the Appropriated Reserve Account to meet additional requirements for this category. Reimbursements from U. S. Grants amounted to $2,563.00, with State participation of $1,985.09.


General Relief aided 16 cases, representing 49 persons, with expenditures of $7,905.25; and in addition, the sum of $4,192.21 for outside relief, made total payments $12,097.46. The Town appropriation of $8,000.00 was exceeded due to amount paid for outside relief; hence, it was necessary to transfer from the unexpended balance of Old Age Assistance account the sum of $4,097.46. Reimbursements in the amount of $2,004.02 were received from the State for unsettled cases. Accounts receivable are also due from other cities and towns for aid rendered.


Old Age Assistance aided 42 cases during the year, with total expenditures of $40,633.08 plus $653.12 for outside relief, which was paid to other cities and towns. The Town appropriation of $29,000.00 showed a substantial balance of $4,354.47, due to decrease in case load. Federal U. S. Grants for aid amounted to $16,577.52, with State reimbursements of


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ANNUAL REPORT


$18,360.81. Reimbursements are also due from other cities and towns for settled cases.


Since legal settlements are involved in the categories of General Relief and Old Age Assistance, expenditures do not indicate the net cost to the Town. To determine the cost of these categories, consideration must be given to revenue received, such as reimbursements from other cities and towns for settled cases, and State reimbursements for unsettled cases. The method and procedure of acquiring all of the facts and information relative to the recipient is of greatest importance in establishing the legal settlement. State reim- bursements, as well as U. S. Grants, are also received for all cases receiving Aid to Dependent Children, Disability and Old Age Assistance. The Federal U. S. Grants are directly applied to their respective accounts, thus reducing the Town appropriations for aid and administration costs.


Sincere thanks are expressed to the personnel of the State Department of Public Welfare, District #5, and the Bureau of Accounts for continued assistance and courtesies rendered to this department.


The usual contribution of $500.00 donated by the Taunton Greyhound Association for a Christmas Fund is gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.


Appreciation is also expressed to the students of Dighton High School, for gifts of clothing purchased for the needy at Christmas. The contributions of food, clothing and toys donated by the Boy Scouts, other organizations, and individuals, are also acknowledged with thanks.


The efficiency and cooperation of Town Officials and personnel is gratifying.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM F. BENEVIDES, Chairman, CLAYTON H. ATWOOD, FRANCIS J. TORRES, Board of Public Welfare BELLA M. BOUCHER, Social Worker


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ANNUAL REPORT


REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD


The Planning Board met with the Board of Selectmen to appoint, by vote, Albert Gramm of School Street as fifth member of the Board.


At the organizational meeting, Richard Babbitt was elected Chairman and Milton Kossoi was made clerk of the Board.


The Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land in the Town of Dighton were revised to more thoroughly coincide with the amended General Laws.


Application forms were filed with all plans submitted for endorsement, one copy of form being filed with the Town Clerk.


There were (8) plans signed not requiring approval, (2) approved under the Subdivision Control Law, and (1) plan for alteration of street approved.


The Planning Board signed all building permits. Earle and Eleanor Smith's plan of a subdivision of land for dwelling purposes with the construction of a way is the first sub- division of this type to be approved by a Planning Board of the Town of Dighton.




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