USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1952 > Part 4
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Lost or Stolen property reported
$8,957.00
Lost or Stolen property recovered $8,400.00
Missing persons reported and acted upon
3
License revoked or Suspended
40
Auto accidents investigated
49
Property damage 7 Personal injury Fatal accidents 0
First class Auto Dealers reports filed
63
Second class Auto Dealers reports filed
62
Defects in street lights reported
10
Summer Homes and Cottages inspected monthly
1000
Buildings found open and reported to owners
74
Number of escorts furnished
50
Request for Special Officers
200
Bicycle registrations issued
95
Fires attended
85
Rescue runs attended
68
Trips Out of Town
Provincetown
20
Barnstable House of Correction
9
Taunton State Hospital
8.
Cape Cod Hospital
9
Westboro State School
1
Yarmouth
13
Miles covered by Cruiser
51,685
Miles covered by Chief's Car
3,880
Individual Auto transfers filed 209
52
Court Cases
Assault & Battery
Breaking & Entering in night time
Drunk
25
Delinquent
2
Larceny
8
Non Support
2
Rape
1
Trespassing
0
Operating to endanger
6
Operating while under the influence
5
Defective Equipment
2
Failing to stop for an Officer
1
Carrying a weapon without a permit
1
Furnishing arms and ammunition
1
Confined to Lockup
63
The efficiency and morale of the members of the Police Department is excellent at this time, and the cooperation be- tween the Chief, Sergeant, and the men is at its best this year.
I take this opportunity of thanking the Board of Select- men, the members of the Finance Committee, and all other Departments for the fine cooperation and assistance they have extended this past year.
I wish to thank the Harwich Police Association for their assistance in making it possible to have the Police Station renovated and for the numerous other items they have do- nated to the Department.
The year 1952 saw the largest increase in traffic in the history of Cape Cod. With this increase of traffic I am pleased to report that the Town of Harwich did not have a fatal Motor Vehicle accident. This is the second consecutive year with no fatalities.
On behalf of the members of the Harwich Police Depart- ment I thank all of the Citizens of the Town of Harwich for their fine spirit and cooperation in helping to make this Town one of the outstanding communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted,
C. CONRAD NICKERSON,
Chief of Police
4 7
10
Operating without a License
53
Report of Sealer of Weights & Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith respectfully submit my nineteenth annual re- port as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Har- wich for the year ending December 31, 1952.
Tested
Adjusted 25
Sealed 77 32
1
3
Volumetric Measures
3
10
Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
12
73
1
3
Linear Measures
7
Weights
17
138
-
Total
54
327
5
16
Money received from Sealing Fees
$132.20
Money received from Transient Vendors Local License Fees
30.00
Paid Town Treasurer
$162.20
Money returned to Treasurer by Director of Standards for Pedler's License Fees
24.00
Total
$186.20
Inspections made of Pedler's Licenses
5
Inspections made of Transient Vendors' Licenses
2
Other Inspections
259
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Com- modities sold or put up for sale
197
Coal in Transit re-weighed
lbs.
4,000
Retests of Gasoline devises after sealing
6
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR S. RYDER
Sealer of Weights & Measures
Not Sealed
Con- demned
Scales
$162.20
54
Report of the Veterans' Agent
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
As the re-call to active duty of World War II veterans and the tremendous induction of more and more of our youth under Selective Service continues to add to the list of veterans in this community, it does not seem amiss at this time to restate the purposes of this Department and summarize some of its activities as required by our State Laws.
As the name Veterans' Services implies, we give service and all sorts of advice to veterans of all wars in the town. We assist in obtaining benefits for veterans seeking the an- swers to questions about education, loans, job training, hous- ing, compensation, pensions, insurance, hospital and domi- ciliary care, burials, grave markers and death claims. We execute all necessary forms, recommend Ordinary Benefits, etc. after completing the necessary applications, and in cases requiring notary public services we give this without cost to the veteran. During the past year we have been obliged to intercede in many hardship cases to request compassionate transfers and to aid dependent mothers in receiving War Al- lowance payments from the V.A.
Perhaps it will come as a surprise to the citizens of the Town and parents of veterans to learn that there are at this moment 132 boys in service in the Korean situation, 307 vet- erans of World War II and more than 200 World War I and Spanish-American War vets. This makes a potential of over 600 eligible for benefits in the small community of Harwich. When we add to this group the unknown potential of the un- employed which is sure to follow the closing of Camp Ed- wards, we have a difficult problem in arriving at the antici- pated amount necessary to care for this large group.
With advice of the Finance Committee and approval of the Selectmen the 1952 budget was adopted at $9,500. which was the same amount required for 1951, and this amount was appropriated by the voters at the Annual Town Meeting in February. Shortly thereafter, several unexpected items arose
55
which greatly exceeded the anticipated expenses, especially medical cases. There were also more War Allowance cases arising from the Korean Situation than could be foreseen and as a result of these expenditures the Finance Committee approved a transfer on August 18 of $2,600. and an additional transfer of $2,000. was made by the voters at a special meet- ing on November 26 thus making a total budget for 1952 of $14,100. for the Veterans' Services Department.
The expenses of the Department include: $1,200 salary for Agent; Investigating and travel expenses, $930; Office expense and stationery $250; Telephone $180 which makes an administrative cost of $2,560. There were a total of $2,655. medical; $450 burial; and $8,440. for Ordinary Benefits, Food, Fuel and Clothing, which totals $11,545. direct benefit to vet- erans; half of this amount is returned by the State and no benefits are paid without authorization from the office of the Commissioner on Beacon Hill. With the uncertainty of the Korean situation and other potentials already referred to above it would seem that the 1953 budget should require $15,000. and it is so recommended.
Each year as the veterans get older there comes more and more need for hospitalization. In this regard a salute is due the doctors of Harwich for their patriotic service so free- ly given in promptly filling out all 10-P-10 forms which gives emergency cases immediate entry into VA hospitals. We know of no case which was delayed a single second by the failure of any busy doctor to give complete and prompt co- operation. We also give public praise and appreciation to the unselfish devotion to this department by Miss Adelyn Peabody and her intelligent advice and recommendations at all times.
This brief description of our work might seem trivial but it does take the majority of our time to properly execute the necessary forms and we are available 24 hours a day for the alleviation of any emergency cases by simply calling Harwich 390.
In conclusion let me thank the Selectmen, Mrs. Olive Williams of the Welfare Department and the veterans them- selves for their patriotic cooperation throughout the years. May 1953 be the year when we will witness again a world at PEACE, and may all our prayers be given to that end.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY B. ALBRO
Veterans' Agent
56
Report of the Forestry and Moth Departments
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
Once again it is my privilege of submitting a report as Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent for the Town of Harwich.
This year, the Tree Warden Department was confronted with more work than usual, due to the heavy snow storm and the driest July on record.
Five large shade trees and many branches, broken off by the severe winds were removed, as passing under these trees was very hazardous.
All small maple trees set out by the town were well fer- tilized, pruned, and cared for as usual. One-third of the trees set out by the tree committee a few years ago did not die from improper care, but because of the light sandy soil they were placed in.
Forty-six small trees, maples and weeping willows were set out along town roads, replacing many of those that had died. The locations of several trees set out by the committee were changed at the request of the property owners on which the trees had been planted.
In controlling the Dutch Elm disease, all elms were spray- ed, and many pruned of all dead limbs. Several specimens from wilting trees were sent to the State experiment station for testing. Two years ago, the nearest town having this disease was Duxbury, but according to the latest report from Amherst, the towns of Falmouth and Sandwich now have this disease, and no one knows how this great jump was made.
The State Department of Conservation now recommends six hundred ($600.00) dollars be appropriated each year, an increase of one hundred ($100.00) dollars over other years, but how far will this amount go today in caring for three hundred and nine (309) large elm trees? We can only hope that Harwich will escape the most dreaded of all tree diseases.
57
One dead elm tree, the largest in town, had to be re- moved this year, because of the large number of carriers it contained. These carriers, or bark beetles live and multiply under the dead bark.
For the first time since the large aerial spraying program was carried out in Barnstable County, there are now gypsy moths present in the town of Harwich. There is a small in- festation of these pests to the north of Hinckley's Pond in Pleasant Lake, where many new egg clusters have been found. If a careful watch is not maintained over this heavy wooded area, there is a possible chance of the gypsy moth infesting the Cape again.
A trapping program under the supervision of the State Department of Conservation was completed with thirty-five (35) traps being placed in different parts of the town. A total of eight (8) millers were caught.
The tent caterpillar made a tremendous increase over past years, but this condition was prevalent in many towns on the Cape. Most of the moth appropriation had to be used in combating this pest.
Moth Department
Appropriation
$1,500.00
Insecticide Refund
31.00
Total
$1,531.00
Expenditures:
Wages
$745.81
Trucking
259.00
Transportation
98.42
Insecticides
237.76
Repairs on Sprayer
129.55
Gasoline etc.
31.88
Miscellaneous Supplies
24.42
Telephone
4.16
Total
$1,531.00
Dutch Elm Disease
Appropriation
$500.00
Carried over from 1951
12.51
Total
$512.51
58
Expenditures:
Wages
$375.75
Trucking®
98.00
Transportation
2.77
Power Saw
18.00
Power Winch
15.00
Materials
2.98
Total
$512.50
Forestry Department
Appropriation
$700.00
Expenditures :
Wages
$244.00
Trucking
270.00
Power Saw
84.00
Supplies
59.83
Transportation
39.50
Miscellaneous
2.67
Total Wages due Tree Warden on this Account-$379.38
$700.00
Shade Tree Account
Appropriation
$500.00
Expenditures :
Wages
$70.00
Trucking-Planting
57.00
Watering
48.00
Trees (46)
302.16
Fertilizer
15.15
Transportation
2.69
Miscellaneous
5.00
Total
$500.00
Wages due Tree Warden on this Account-$128.75
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON
Tree Warden and Moth Supt.
59
Jury List
Adams, Clifton J .- Caretaker Albro, Harry B .- Retired Butlin, Ernest J .- Mason
Cahoon, Walter E .- Caretaker Chamberlain, Elizabeth D .- Housewife Chandler, Carlton E .- Caretaker Corey, Howard B .- Maintenance Worker
Drake, Asahel E .- Mechanic
Eldredge, Benjamin Harold-Retired
Hardie, Charles W .- Merchant Koch, Walter D .- Retired Leadbetter, Edna M .- Housewife Maguire, Helena T .- Housewife
Munsey, Roger W .- Contractor
Nickerson, Hugh C .- Laundry Supervisor Perkins, Arthur T .- Merchant Phipps, Irvin R .- Retired Raneo, John S .- Carpenter Roderick, Edmund D .- Caretaker
Ryder, Victor S .- Auctioneer Thompson, Biddle R. Jr .- Farmer
Weeks, Stephen-Painter Wixon, Birmah E .- Drug Clerk
Harwich Port Harwich Center Harwich Center Harwich Port Harwich Port North Harwich Harwich Port Harwich Center Harwich Center West Harwich Harwich Port Harwich Center Harwich Center East Harwich East Harwich West Harwich Pleasant Lake Harwich Center Harwich Center North Harwich Pleasant Lake Harwich Port East Harwich
Report of the Herring Committee
The Herring Committee reports that the seining pool is being completed on the land purchased by the town at the annual Town meeting and will be ready for use this spring. Due to circumstances beyond our control the fishery rights were sold at a very low figure this year we hope by adopting "Sealed Bids" as a method of sale to bring the sale price to a more reasonable figure. The committee regrets that the hatch was extremely heavy this year and in spite of low water most of the hatch were able to leave the ponds.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD T. BATES ARCHILUS H. CAHOON MILTON L. CAHOON
Herring Committee
60
Report of the Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my third Annual Report as Building Inspector for the Town of Harwich for the year ending December 31, 1952.
Permits issued for New Construction :
Year round dwellings
80
Summer cottages
2
Garages 11
Stores
3
Motels
3
Post Offices
2
Marine Storage Shed
1
Additions & Alterations
51
Total
153
Appropriation for 1952
$2,200.00
Salary and Expenses
$2,195.60
Payments
2,195.60
Balance to Revenue
$4.40
Paid Town for Permits
$225.00
Estimated cost of new construction for 1952-$725,000.00.
Respectfully submitted,
WINSLOW B. SAWYER
Building Inspector
61
Report of the Cemetery Commissioners
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We herewith submit our Annual Report as Cemetery Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1952.
The Board has again operated this year as a two man Board, inasmuch as no one has sought election to fill the un- expired term of John T. Wood, deceased.
All of the cemeteries in the Town, which are under the supervision of the Cemetery Commissioners, have been care- fully inspected and cared for, within the limits of the ap- propriation.
We have acquired a rotary power mower, which has proved very efficient and cut down the time and cost of the mowing of cemeteries, so that we have had a limited amount of money to expend for filling and grading some of the old graves. However, there is a a great deal more work to be done in this category which would cost several thousand dollars to complete, however, we advocate a long range program of doing a little of this type of work each year.
We again call to your attention the situation with refer- ence to the inadequate facilities existing in the Town of Har- wich for cemeteries, and hope that you will refer this sub- ject to the Planning Board, as provided by law, for their study and report.
We wish to recommend that a parcel of land of approx- imately ten acres be acquired to lay out a new cemetery in a reasonable central location, and after some study and sur- vey on our part, we have concluded that the only available tract of land of this size would be on the North or South sides of the Shell Road, East of the residence of Frank Votapka.
With the increased labor costs, it is becoming increas- ingly difficult to do a bare minimum of work with the limited appropriation and we would respectfully recommend an in- crease of $500.00 this year, in the appropriation for this Department.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. SMITH CARLETON E. CHANDLER Cemetery Commissioners
62
Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Harwich Planning Board has had a very busy year, not alone on Sub-divisions and roads, but on a number of other projects having the Selectmen's approval.
During the year a new State Law became effective requir- ing all Planning Boards and those responsible for the ap- proval of sub-division plans, to first secure the approval of the Board of Health on the proposed water supply and sew- erage disposal systems for each individual sub-division before final approval, and where necessary, to require that these systems be shown on the Plan.
Fourteen sub-divisions have been approved during the year, all in cooperation with Dr. F. L. Moore of the Barnstable County Health Department and our Town Board of Health.
During the past summer the Chairman of this Board met at a joint meeting in Harwich with the Harwich Selectmen, Chairman of the Chatham Selectmen and Two District Engi- neers from the State Highway Department, and a week later at a similar meeting in Brewster with the Brewster Select- men and the Chairman of the Planning Board, to discuss in detail the proposed route and construction of the second sec- tion of the Mid-Cape Highway from the circle at Route 132 to Orleans, passing through North Harwich, Harwich, Pleas- ant Lake and East Harwich. After this meeting a letter was prepared confirming details discussed with the State High- way Engineers for bridges, picking up service roads to Cran- berry bogs, Lakes, etc, in Harwich which the Selectmen could file with the Highway Department of the State as a matter of record.
Arrangements were concluded with the Harwich Wo- man's Club and the Harwich Garden Club, each having ap- pointed two members to meet with the Planning Board in an advisory capacity, to discuss future Harwich Planning. One such meeting was held, having very satisfactory results.
63
At the last Town Meeting it was voted to extend our Pro- tective By-Law to South Harwich, and this extension was prepared and submitted to the Attorney General's Office and finally approved and published June 23, 1952 in a new pamph- let which now includes Regulations for Sub-divisions, Build- ing and Fire Preventive Laws and the Protective By-Laws.
An article for the Town Warrant is being prepared by the Planning Board for the extension of the Protective By- Law to the Pleasant Bay area of East Harwich along Route 28. A hearing on this was held December 5th after one of our members had personally discussed the matter in detail with most of the property owners in this area.
One of the most pressing problems of Harwich at this time is Bathing Beaches to take care of the rapid expansion of our all-year-round population as well as summer guests. The individual members of the Board have been visiting the various beaches now in use, during weekends and afternoons. At several meetings the accumulated information was dis- cussed and as a result, definite data was prepared and sub- mitted at a hearing November 14 at 8 P. M. in Exchange Hall. A large group of property owners attended with the result, unanimously expressed, that the Planning Board pre- pare and sponsor articles in the Town Warrant for the lo- cation of a Public Beach at South Harwich, and certain ne- cessary repairs and improvements to properly maintain our present neighborhood beaches. The articles have been sub- mitted to the Board of Selectmen.
We are happy to report that we have had excellent co- operation from the Board of Selectmen, Highway Surveyor, Building Inspector, Health Department, Fire Department, Water Department, Town Counsel, and Town Engineer, all of whom we have had to contact in our work and to whom we wish to express our appreciation.
We also wish to confirm our thanks to the builders and developers of property, who are now showing a fine spirit of cooperation in making our work more effective.
The following is a report of the expenditures for the year: Appropriation
$300.00
Expenses :
Map (Protective By-Law) $6.00
Advertising Protective By-Law 45.00
Printing By-Law pamphlets 200.00
Legal notice of hearing 1.25
64
Legal Notice
$1.50
Legal Notice of Hearing
1.56
4.47
Stamped Envelopes Stationery
9.00
$268.78
Unused Balance of appropriation
31.22
$300.00
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. JOHNSON, Chairman
ESTHER A. STIDSTONE, Clerk
R. B. SNOW
E. W. DYBING ROSWELL H. NYE
Harwich Planning Board
Report of the Registrars of Voters
The Board of Registrars of the Town submit their report for 1952:
62 names were crossed off for all purposes.
We now have a total of 2,280 voters on our lists, as follows:
1,184 Women 1,044 Men
This is an increase of 220 over the previous year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLEON S. CROWELL AMY B. DAVIS
Registrars
65
Report of the Shellfish Warden
The year of 1952 has been a good year for our shellfish in Harwich. The only exception was the Scallop crop that did not materialize as expected.
There are at the present time enough shellfish in the open areas for all who want them, however the areas that have been opened and closed again need reseeding.
The oysters that were planted in Allen's Harbor did very well and are of excellent quality. We had less than the aver- age loss.
Clam seed has come in very thick in some places and is now at the stage where it should grow into good stock with- out any loss, however I am sorry to say that these areas need constant patrol. Remember all areas in the Town are closed to the taking of clams except by short openings that are an- nounced in the paper.
If you are one of the persons who take oysters it would be a good idea to bring the shells back and dump them into the water as most the shells have small oysters growing on them.
In 1953 look for Stoney Flat to be opened April first for family use only on regular days. The scallops should be back to average and we should have soft shell clams for everyone, also shellfishing will be allowed on Wednesdays and Satur- days as usual and Sundays excepting June, July, August and September.
Planting, Propagation & Protection of Shellfish
Appropriation
December 30-Transfer
$1,400.00 34.75
From Available Funds
$1,434.75
Salary
$1,241.03
Outside Labor
5.00
Stock
109.85
Equipment and Expenses
44.12
Printing
34.75
$1,434.75
66
Shellfish Permits Issued
Commercial
37 @ $5.00
$185.00
Non-Resident
77 @ 1.00
77.00
Resident
254 @ .50
127.00
$389.00 250.00
Received from State
1952 Revenue to Town
$639.00
Statistics:
Days of Inspection
248
Number of persons breaking regulations
187
Number of persons with no permit
43
Number of persons taking undersize
37
Number of persons digging clams
28
Number of persons on closed days
79
Commercial Inspections
23
Complaints investigated
21
Assistance from out of Town Wardens
4
Assistance to out of Town Wardens
1
Estimated values of Shellfish for year of 1952:
Scallops
$2,200.00
Quahaugs
7,700.00
Oysters
6,200.00
Clams
4,212.00
All Others
750.00
$21,172.00
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER W. MUNSEY Shellfish Constable
Report of the Town Nurse for Year 1952
Field Visits
1,441
Office visits at School
265
New Patients
150
Collection for year
$667.50
Respectfully submitted,
ADELYN J. PEABODY, R.N.
67
Report of the Playground and Recreation Commission
Proof that Harwich is recreation minded is shown by the fact that 14,870 persons availed themselves of the recreation- al opportunities offered by the Harwich Recreation Commis- sion and its advisory Council during 1952. The Harwich Rec- reation Building was in use 665 times throughout the twelve- month period, providing a meeting place for social, civic and fraternal groups.
The Harwich Recreation Commission does more than provide basic facilities for its ever-expanding program. In keeping with the aims of good recreation-to provide for mental, health and cultural development and to offer oppor- tunities to develop skills in handicraft, music, drama, ath- etics and hobbies,-the Commission has met regularly to dis- cuss new trends in recreation, community problems, programs for adults and children, aims and objectives, and proposed activities as well as the problems of building maintenance.
Creative ability, imagination and enthusiasm are pro- vided by a corps of completely interested, tireless workers,- the Harwich Recreation Advisory Council,-which, staffed by volunteers, enlists the aid of interested individuals and or- ganizations in the activation of community projects, the an- nual Halloween parties for all Harwich children being a case in point. Self-supporting arts and crafts classes directed by the Council included classes. in portraiture, sculpture, ceram- ics, rug-hooking and braiding, wood-carving, furniture decor- ation, leathercraft, block printing, oil painting, stencil-tole painting and photo coloring. Other activities for which the building was used included chess club, card parties, sewing circles, suppers, choral groups, camera club, scouts, rummage sales and baton twirling classes.
Athletic programs sponsored by the Commission included a basketball team for men during the winter, and a summer of volley-ball, soft-ball, basketball, baseball, tennis, swim- ming and golf for year-round and summer children, both programs directed by Mr. David Bailey.
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