USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 56
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Given under my hand and seal at Southbridge aforesaid, the 3rd day of June in the year nineteen hundred and sixty. ARMAND O. BELLERIVE, Chairman of the Selectmen of Southbridge, Mass.
To the Chairman Board of Selectmen
of the Town of Southbridge, Mass.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant I hereby make due return of my doings in compliance therewith as follows: Number of Stray Dogs Killed 71
Number of Dogs Killed by Motor Vehicles 8
Dogs Disposed of by Owner
Number of Dogs Sold 1
Number of Dogs Lost
53
Number of Dogs Found 49 9
Number of Dogs Found from Out of Town
Number of Dogs Lost from Out of Town 10
To the best of my knowledge and belief all unlicensed dogs in said Town of Southbridge have been caught, confined, killed or sold and complaints have been made against the following named persons, under the provisions of Chapter 140, General Laws as amended by Chapter 320, Acts of 1934.
Number of Investigated Complaints 77
Number of Restraining Complaints 1
Number of Persons Attacked by Dogs 2
Livestock Damage Claims 5
Warrants Issued to Delinquent Dog Owners 264
Dog Injuries Caused by Motor Vehicles and Re- ceived Treatment 3
Number of Pet Placements
8
Total Dog Cases
559
Totoal Travel Mileage
1215
And so far as I have any knowledge complaints have been entered against all persons who have failed to comply with said provisions.
Dated December 31, 1960. MOISE REOPEL, Dog Officer.
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21
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town Hall, Southbridge, Mass. Sirs:
I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1960.
The wiring permits issued were as follows:
30
Remodeling and Additions to Already Erected Buildings
76
Additions to Old Wiring
95
New Services
Oil Burners
Electric Ranges
Electric Hot Water Heaters
Washers
66
Dryers
62
Air Conditioners
75 61
Miscellaneous
264
Inspection While Work in Progress
816
Recommendations to Change Wiring
126
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR J. ENO,
Inspector of Wires.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF JACOB EDWARDS
1960
TRUSTEES
FOR THE EDWARDS BEQUEST
Robert L. Fox Jacob K. Edwards Ellsworth D. Mitchell John J. O'Shaughnessy
FOR THE TOWN Dr. Nerio W. Pioppi, Chairman Oswald J. Laliberte Edward P. Sheehan
LIBRARY HOURS
Open 1961:
Adult Section:
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Children's Room:
Monday - Friday 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
140
New Buildings
69 63 54 46
Disposals
School Holidays
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed 1961:
January 2 New Year's Day
February 22
Washington's Birthday
May 30
Memorial Day
July 4
Independence Day Labor Day
September 4
October 12
Columbus Day
November 11
Veteran's Day
November 23
Thanksgiving Day
December 25
Christmas Day
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The biggest library news of 1960 was the signing of the bill for State Aid to Public Libraries on November 3 by Gov- ernor Furcolo. Our library will benefit by a direct grant in aid based on our population and by affiliation with a regional library system now being organized to increase our resources. 1961 should see both plans underway.
The second biggest event was the survey made of the facilities of this library by Miss Alice Cahill of the State Divi- sion of Library Extension at the invitation of the Board of Trustees. After a careful study of the library and the com- munity, she made several recommendations that will guide our future planning.
While the total circulation figures show only a slight gain over those of 1959, adult reading increased 2,288 items. Books used by children in the first three grades increased 1,242 over the previous year. But an alarming drop of 1,640 showed up in books used by pupils in grades four through seven which indicates an area where interest must be re-stimulated.
An AO Magnifier Reader was loaned by Dr. Nerio Pioppi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, to aid partially sighted readers. A new outdoor flag was given by the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War in memory of Francis Jager.
The library was actively used by groups other than read- ers. Two Great Books Groups and a Great Decisions Group met regularly. Area artists exhibited their paintings in the reading room. New elementary teachers were invited to a coffee hour and told of the facilities available to them.
In the Children's Room weekly movies were continued. Both the junior and senior summer reading clubs (member- ship 124 and 89 respectively) were active. Several classroom groups and Brownie Scouts had scheduled story hours. The annual Creative Writing Contest was held during Children's Book Week.
The weekly column in the Southbridge Evening News is still a valuable contact with the public. Station WESO in- vited the library to participate in a weekly Sunday afternoon broadcast, Adventures Unlimited, narrated by the Reverend
141
William Slater. During National Library Weeks the library was floodlighted and a name-drawing contest held with book prizes.
Talks were given by the librarian on reading and the use of the library in all three high schools. Elementary schools had story hours as well as library instruction. Local groups heard talks on Lenten reading and library resources for Sun- day school teachers. Sturbridge and Holland women's groups also invited the librarian for book talks, and the librarian helped judge two essay contests.
The librarian attended the American Library Association Conference in Montreal in June, the Bay Path Library Associa- tion meetings of which group she serves on the Executive Board, the Young Adult Librarian's Meeting in Holden, and the Institute for State Aid at Boston College in February. She participated in meetings preparing to implement state aid to libraries and served on the subcommittee to plan regional boundaries.
It was a good year full of promise for 1961 when we hope to have automatic charging installed, newspaper files micro- filmed and an additional professionally trained staff member.
Edward Zuiss deserves special thanks for the many hours contributed to the library. The Southbridge Evening News, Station WESO, the Police Force and the administrations of both public and parochial schools are thanked for their al- ways willing help. As always the librarian is grateful for the privilege of working with such a congenial staff and coopera- tive and progressive Board of Trustees.
COMPARATIVE TABLE OF CIRCULATION
Adult
1959
1960
General Works
372
386
Philosophy
903
885
Religion
701
680
Sociology
2,164
2,355
Language
358
288
Science
1,482
1,485
Useful Arts
3,447
3,541
Fine Arts
2,374
2,380
Literature
2,203
2,443
History
1,676
1,682
Travel
1,573
1,682
Biography
3,955
3,827
Total Adult Non-Fiction
21,208
21,634
Films
15
28
Current Periodicals
3,790
3,804
Pamphlets
593
542
Foreign Books
289
186
142
Records Sheet Music Pictures Fiction
252
385
10
4
35
11
27,426
29,312
Total Adult Circulation
53,618
55,906
Juvenile
General Works
255
335
Philosophy
8
6
Religion
284
236
Social Science
1,596
1,458
Language
86
124
Science
1,875
1,657
Useful Arts
1,271
961
Fine Arts
721
818
Literature
371
373
History
907
1,013
Travel
796
793
Biography
2,917
2,786
Total Juvenile Non-Fiction
11,987
10,560
Current Periodicals
519
494
Pamphlets
138
85
Pictures
769
700
Fiction - J
11,802
10,594
Fiction - JJ
11,128
11,543
School Deposits
4,196
4,023
Total Juvenile Circulation
39,639
37,999
GRAND TOTAL
93,257
93,905
STATISTICAL RECORD
Date of Founding
1,871
Population Served
16,500
Days open during year
304
Hours open each week
63
Number of volumes January 1, 1960
39,910
Number of volumes added:
Adult
835
Juvenile
366
Total
1,201
Number of volumes discarded and lost:
Adult
437
Juvenile 222
Total
659
143
Number of volumes December 31, 1960
40,452
Number of registered borrowers
6,291
Largest circulation for one day (Feb. 20)
529
Smallest circulation for one day (Dec. 12)
57
Average circulation per day
309
Annual circulation:
School Deposits
4,023
Juvenile (except deposits)
33,976
Adult
55,906
Total
93,905
LIBRARY STAFF
Librarian
Mary Anna Tien
Reference Librarian
Hilda Heather
Children's Librarian
Mary Hazelton
Bookkeeper and General Assistant
Gladys Hobson
Janitor
Joseph Lataille
PART TIME STAFF
Lucille Buchiachio
Viola Michael
Mary Anne Chambers
Maryellen Morin
Louise Despres
Diane Morrill
Nancy Gobeille
Brenda Phipps
Claire Hart
Frances Libuda
Frances Schauweker
Marion Postemski Helen Rowley Sharron Smith
Sandra Yannacci
Respectfully submitted, MARY ANNA TIEN, Librarian
STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
For the Year Ending December 31, 1960
Cash Balance, January 1, 1960
$ 1,509.29
Receipts:
Town appropriation
$24,165.00
Mynott Fund Interest
35.00
Income from Edwards Trust Funds
8,018.86
Received for books lost
18.68
Total Receipts 32,237.54
$33,746.83
Disbursements:
Payroll
$22,711.41
Building expenses
2,535.61
Operating expenses
871.11
144
Building repairs and maintenance
762.40
Grounds maintenance
135.97
Books and periodicals Book repairs
4,678.16
115,24
Films
178.37
Total Disbursements
31,988.27
Cash balance December 31, 1960
represented by:
Trustees' Cash
1,694.21
Mynott fund interest
64.35
$ 1,758.56
Reserve for Building Repairs and Improvements
Balance, January 1, 1960
$ 4,522.40
Add:
Interest received
159.66
Balance, December 31, 1960, on deposit
with Southbridge Savings Bank
$ 4,682.06
Pilsudski Club Book Fund
Balance, January 1, 1960
$ 228.73
Add:
Interest received
8.05
Balance, December 31, 1960, on deposit
with Southbridge Savings Bank ..
$ 236.78
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In accordance with the law and custom, I submit the fol- lowing report of the year ending December 31, 1960, giving names of members of the Fire Department, values of proper- ties under my supervision, number of fires we responded to, values of properties where loss occurred, dates and location of fires.
We responded to 23 bell alarms 438 still alarms
Total alarms for the year 461.
388 Hydrants at $75.00 each per year
$
33,500.00
1,127,200.00
Value of buildings
145
Loss on buildings
Insurance on buildings
778,800.00
Insurance paid on buildings 163,380.51
709,325.00
246,991.21
Insurance on contents
362,000.00
Insurance paid on contents
243,461.21
INVENTORY OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Station
$ 80,000.00
Fire Apparatus
77,000.00
Fire Department Supplies
10,000 00
Gamewell Fire Alarm System
69,000.00
ROSTER OF THE SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Alva J. Gregoire
Assistant Chief Daniel Daniels
Capt. Emile Caouette
Laurent McDonald
Capt. Ovila Donais
Rodolphe Arpin
Inspector Raymond Nadeau Ernest Collette
Napoleon White
Arthur Marand
Roland Larochelle
Edward Boucher
Alfred Langevin
Biagio Puccilli
William Berry
Victor Caouette
Armand Dumas
Jean P. St. Amant
Lionel Bachand
Adrien Pouliot
Raoul Plouffe
Call Men Hose Co. No. 1
Capt. Hermas Lippe Lieut. Leopold Langlois Clarence Blais
Henry Santelli
Roger Tremblay
Lennie Rutanen
Thomas Mannis
Paul LaRochelle
Walter Earnest
George Paul
Call Men Hose Co. No. 2
Capt. Eugene Gaumond Lieut. Aime Ravenelle Armand Gibeault
George Plouffe Melvin Williams
Ferdinand Szczypien
James Brackett
John Jankowski
Conrad Corriveau
Donald Belanger
Call Men Aerial Co. No. 1
Capt. Arthur Caplette Lieut. Armand Durocher
Roger Favreau
Henry Latour
146
Value of contents Loss on contents
165,680.00
Edward McNally
Romeo Mathieu
Raymond Dartt Francis Healy Clifford Shaw
Roland Arpin Clarence McDonald Robert Talbot Albert Bishop
Supt. of Fire Alarm Normand LaRochelle
Alarms Answered During the Year
January 22-Still alarm at 7:00 P.M., at 87 Cross Street. Dwelling. Owned by William Grenier. Caused by care- lessly discarded cigarette. Insured.
January 31-Still alarm at 10:15 A.M., at 41/2 Fisk Street. Gar- age. Owned by Rene Mendes. Caused by burning barrel under jet. Insured.
February 4-Still alarm at 10:35 P.M. at 314 Worcester Street. Store and apartment. Owned by Lorenzo DiGregorio. Caused by defective transformer. Insured.
February 15-Box 36 at 6:50 A.M. at 70 Foster Street. Store. Owned by Bousquet's Auto Parts. Cause, probable de- fective stack. Insured.
February 15-Same as above. Italian American Club. In- sured.
February 15-Same as above. Like-nu Cleaners. Insured.
February 17-Box 321 at 5:24 P.M. at 270 Worcester Street.
Foundry. Owned by Ernest Horney. Caused by sparks in rags and paper. Insured.
February 23-Box 325 at 8:20 A.M. at 56 Roosevelt Drive. Dwelling. Owned by James McClaskey. Caused by boy playing with lighted candle. Insured.
March 11-Box 112 at 7:09 P.M. at 26 Benefit Street. Green- house. Owned by Sabatino Osimo. Caused by over-heated stove pipe. Insured.
March 17-Box 115 at 4:26 P.M. at 39 Moon Street. Storage sheds. Owned by Louis Gubb. Caused by sparks from electric motor. Insured.
March 18-Still alarm at 2:45 P.M. at 74 Chestnut Street. Dwelling. Owned by Donald Lamica. Caused by explod- ing T.V. tube. Not insured.
March 20-Still alarm at 12:45 P.M. at 240 Torrey Road. Dwelling. Owned by Michael Demski. Caused by over- heated stove pipe. Insured.
March 29-Still alarm at 6:35 P.M. at rear 56 Dresser Street. Barn. Owned by Mrs. Belle Andrews. Caused by sparks from incinerator. Insured.
April 2-Box 32 at 3:36 A.M. at 17 Marcy Street. Dwelling. Owned by Naum Rutcho. Cause unknown. Insured.
April 2-Same as above. Owned by Joseph Lataille. Insured. April 2-Still alarm at 7:30 A M. at 27 Snow Street. Dwelling.
Owned by Dhosi Lazo. Caused by smoking in bed. In- sured.
147
April 22-Still alarm at 7:00 A.M. at 127 Pleasant Street. Dwelling. Owned by Joseph Anger. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
April 28-Still alarm at 10:55 P.M. at 97 South Street. Dwell- ing. Owned by Leonard DiGregorio. Incendiary. Insured. April 30-Still alarm at 8:50 P.M. at 228 Lebanon Hill. Dwell- ing. Owned by Ferdinand Dintini. Caused by short cir- cuit. Insured.
May 2-Still alarm at 9:20 P.M. at 348 Main Street. Office building. Owned by Howard Pierce. Cause, incendiary. Insured.
May 3-Still alarm at rear 56 Dresser Street. Barn. Owned by Mrs. Belle Andrews. Caused by sparks from incinera- tor. Insured.
June 4-Box 14 at 3:43 A.M. on Saundersdale Road. Recharg- ing Station. Owned by Tennessee Gas Co. Caused by lightning. Insured.
June 20-Still alarm at 9:08 A.M. at 24 Worcester Street. Dwelling. Owned by Roseanna St. Martin. Caused by flooded oil burner. Insured.
June 27-Still alarm at 4:50 P.M. at 92 Elm Street. Dwelling. Owned by Francis Healy. Caused by overheated grease in pan. Insured.
June 30-Still alarm at 10:30 P.M. at 17 Field Street. Dwell- ing. Owned by Robert Bousquet. Caused by short circuit in clothes drier. Insured.
July 9-Still alarm at 10:05 A.M. at 179 West Street. Dwell- ing. Owned by Leslie Hackett. Caused by burning hornet nest in bushes near house. Insured.
July 16-Box 24 at 11:42 P.M. at 795 West Main Street. Stores and apartments. Owned by Chris Skarani. Caused by overheated fire box at base of furnace. Insured.
July 24-Still alarm at 12:40 P.M. at 19 Hudson Avenue. Dwelling. Owned by Joseph Blais. Caused by burning food in gas range oven. Insured.
August 6-Still alarm at 2:59 P.M. at 655 Main Street. Dwell- ing. Owned by Armand Mandeville. Caused by short cir- cuit in T.V. Insured.
August 25-Still alarm at 6:45 A.M. at 135 Worcester Street. Garage. Owned by Roger Beausoleil. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
September 5-Still alarm at 1:50 P.M. at 276 Hamilton Street. Dwelling. Owned by Leopold Lemmelin. Caused by short circuit in washing machine. Insured.
September 10-Box 321 at 12:26 P.M. at 259 Worcester Street. Factory. Owned by Fileno DiGregorio. Caused by over- heated furnace. Insured.
September 14-Box 137 at 8:36 P.M. at 28 Pleasant Street. Store and apartments. Owned by Palmerino Wholesale Co. Caused by smoking in bed. Insured.
148
------
October 1-Still alarm at 12:50 P.M. at 38 Sunny Hill Drive. Dwelling. Owned by Joseph Powers. Caused by leaking valve on bottled gas tank. Insured.
October 30-Still alarm at 12:05 A.M. at 6 Lens Street. Rest- aurant. Owned by Blanche Dionne. Caused by carelessly discarded cigarette in cardboard container. Insured.
November 8-Box 229 at 12:44 P.M. at Brochu Street. Dwell- ing. Owned by Dominic Lombardi. Caused by delayed ignition on power burner. Insured.
November 23-Box 32 at 8:53 P.M. at Crane Street. Canning Factory. Owned by Hill Canning Co. Caused by sparks from welding machine. Insured.
November 24-Box 45 at 4:02 A.M. at 121 Charlton Street. Dwelling. Owned by Gerald Lapierre. Caused by careless disposal of cigarette. Partly insured.
December 7-Box 224 at 8:27 P.M. at 253 Main Street. Dwell- ing. Owned by Methodist Church. Caused by sparks from incinerator. Insured.
December 13-Still alarm at 8:20 A.M. at 108 Chestnut Street. Dwelling. Owned by Aldor Benoit. Caused by exploding lacquer thinner while applying electric heater. Insured.
December 14-Still alarm at 9:55 A.M. at 46 Old Woodstock Road. Dwelling. Owned by Marie and Luigi Fortis. Caused by thawing pipe with blow torch. Insured.
December 18-Still alarm at 5:33 P.M. at 215 Lebanon Hill. Garage. Owned by Steve Simonelli. Caused by carelessly discarded cigarette. Insured.
December 20-Still alarm at 1:15 P.M. at 189 Durfee Street. Dwelling. Owned by Herbert Kimball. Caused by back draft in fireplace. Insured.
December 22-Still alarm at 11:25-P.M. at 22 Canal Street. Dwelling. Owned by Roch Krawcryk. Caused by over- heated chimney. Insured.
December 23-Box 226 at 4:32 P.M. at 224 Charlton Street.
Store. Owned by Soter George. Caused by delayed igni- tion in oil burner. Insured.
Decemer 23-Still alarm at 7:20 P.M. at 274 Marcy Street. Dwelling. Owned by Thomas O'Brien. Caused by fall- ing spotlight on rug. Insured.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Permits Issued
Transporting gasoline 0
High explosives
60
Range oil burners 11
Power oil burners 20
149
Open air fires
453
Removal of gasoline tanks
2
Decorations
19
Bottled gas
30
Burning paint off buildings
3
Gas tanks
4
Inspections
Stores
65
Business buildings
69
Single dwellings
958
Multiple dwellings
1439
Garages and service stations
33
Public halls
2
Restaurants
6
Clubs
3
Cafes
10
Diners
16
Hotels
12
Schools
46
Hospitals
6
Rest Homes
9
Decorations
19
Storage tanks
8
Complaints
115
Re-inspections
178
Range burners
636
Power burners
1943
Lock-outs
18
Churches
12
Gas tanks
8
In closing my report for last year, I wish to thank the Citizens for their co-operation, and members of the Fire De- partment for their loyalty to their work.
In conclusion, the Chief, Alva J. Gregoire, on behalf of the members of the Fire Department wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and other Town Officials for their courtesy and consideration of the Department.
ALVA J. GREGOIRE,
Chief of The Fire Department
For the Fire Department
EDWARD BOUCHER, Clerk.
AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT
In rendering my report for the past year, I wish to state
150
that there was an appropriation of $1,385.00 for this Depart- ment.
During the past year the Ambulances made the following trips.
Southbridge
534
Worcester
56
Sturbridge
22
Boston
17
Charlton
10
Grafton
6
Norfolk, Mass.
5
Jamaica Plains
5
Brimfield
4
Millbury
4
Wrentham
4
Northbridge
3
Framingham
2
Brookfield
2
Holyoke
2
Newton
1
Palmer
1
West Boylston
1
West Roxbury
1
Warren
1
North Wilmington, Mass.
1
Total
682
INVENTORY OF THE AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT
1 Mercury Ambulance
$7,600.00
1 Packard Ambulance
2,300.00
2 Spare tires
35.00
2 Folding stretchers
60.00
1
Orthopatic stretcher
60.00
2 First Aid kits
10.00
2 Flame-proof blankets
90.00
6 Pillows
15.00
25 Pillow cases
15.00
30 Sheets
30.00
24 Blankets
96.00
12 Towels
6.00
1 Straight jacket
31.00
1 Jiffy splint
59 00
1 Washington Cot stretcher
250.00
2 Oxygen units
350.00
2 Sets chains
16.00
4 Hand grip spot lights
36 00
1 Porto-power jack
150.00
Supplies
100.00
2 Pressure regulators
70.00
151
REPORT OF FOREST FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Forest Fire Department answered 88 alarms for forest fires in 1960.
There were 453 permits issued for fires in the open.
I wish at this time to thank the people for their good will and again ask their co-operation with this Department to pre- vent fires in this vicinity.
INVENTORY OF THE FOREST FIRE DEPARTMENT
5 Forest fire pumps
$1,250.00
5000 ft. of 11/8 in. hose
2,500.00
4000 ft. of 11/2 in. hose
4,350.00
6 11/2 in. shut-off nozzles
250.00
6
1 in. shut-off nozzles
120.00
7 11/8 in. shut-off nozzles
245.00
8 Open end nozzles
54.00
15 Soda and acid extinguishers
150.00
18
Indian pumps
350.00
4
21/2 Gals. hand pumps
60.00
6 ten qt. pails
15.00
16 brooms
16.00
5 Shovels
5.00
14
Reducers
110.00
1
Two ton International truck
2,500.00
2
11/8 in. "Y's"
60.00
2 Ladders
48.00
1
Inter-comm. speaker
250 00
1
Pro-pel light
70.00
6 Hand lights
125.00
1 Tarpaulin
40.00
1 11/2 ton Ford truck
1,500 00
All other supplies
1,000.00
ALVA J. GREGOIRE, Forest Fire Warden.
Deputy Forest Fire Wardens
Daniel Daniels
Emile Caouette
Romeo Lippe
Leopold Langlois
Charles Leveille
Ovila Donais
Biagio Puccilli
Rosario Bellerose
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
and the Citizens of Southbridge: As Director of Veterans' Services I submit a brief report
152
of the department's activities and services rendered for the past year of 1960.
Following the objectives of the department of past years, of prompt and efficient service, the year 1960 has disclosed an ever increasing demand for service as more and more veterans within the Town become acquainted with the work of this de- partment, requesting action and solution to their many prob- lems.
Throughout the year a conscientious effort was made to find the answers to the many questions asked. Whenever an answer was unknown, reference was made to the proper Fed- eral or State Authorities.
Inquiries about education, on the job training, compensa- tion, both service and non-service connected, insurance, loans, burial and hospitalization are handled by this department.
Of the 57 inquiries about hospitalization, 43 local veterans were admitted to Veterans Administration Hospitals and Hol- yoke Soldiers Home by arrangements with this department.
Deceased veterans for the year 1960 are as follows:
Spanish War 1
World War I 7
World War II 5
Korean War 0
A considerable amount of travel is necessary to aid vet- erans and their dependents and much paper work is involved in processing their claims against the Veterans' Administra- tion for pensions and compensations.
Veterans' Benefits
Chapter 115, as amended by Chapter 584, Acts of 1946, continues to claim the most attention. Under this Chapter, the State agrees to reimburse the Town for one-half of all aid granted. It is of interest to note that more and more appli- cants for Veterans' Benefits, who originally left Southbridge to enter the service, have scattered to other communities to live, but continue to have military settlement in Southbridge, which necessitates traveling further distances to check eligi- bility of the applicant.
During the year 1960 a total of 65 applications for Vet- erans' Benefits were processed and at the present time there are 90 cases of active recipients of funds.
For a detailed report of expenditures and reimbursements of this department, please refer to the report of the Town Ac- countant.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to all Town Depart- ments, Veterans Organizations and their Auxiliaries, the Santa Fund and the various persons who wish to remain anonymous. Respectfully submitted,
ROLAND G. HETU
Director and Agent
153
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
The Cemetery Committee met and organized on March 22, 1960. Lectance Landry was elected chairman. Henry Montigny and Stavri Yanka composed the balance of the committee. Seaver M. Rice was appointed superintendent and clerk of the board.
Work was started on April 3 and continued until Novem- ber 15 when all part time labor was laid off. The early work consisted in filling in graves, straightening gravestones, grad- ing of gravel roads and spreading of fertilizer and grass seed.
In May, grass cutting was started and continued on a two week schedule until October. The committee purchased a 24 inch power mower and two smaller power mowers. It is anti- cipated in 1962 a new pick up truck will be needed as the one now in use is over 10 years old.
We expect to start development of a new burial section this year which in the course of a few years will be needed for burial use.
The committee wishes to thank all town officials for their co-operation and courtesy. The highway under Mr. Joseph Benoit was particularly helpful in snow removal and sanding operations.
Respectfully submitted,
LECTANCE LANDRY, Chairman STAVRI YANKA HENRY MONTIGNY
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the Tree Warden Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1960.
The past year 27 dead trees were cut down and removed. Deadwood and broken branches were pruned out of Town- Owned trees. Five stumps were removed. Tree preservative applied to cavities that needed repainting. 2 trees were braced and cabled.
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