USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1953 > Part 5
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Bal. to 1954
884.94
$11,000.00
$11,000.00
Respectfullly submitted, WALTER E. CAHOON NORMAN O. NICKERSON FRANCIS J. HIBBERT Board of Water Commissioners JOHN K. DONNELLY Superintendent and Collector
63
Report of the Police Department
:
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Harwich, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
I hereby respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Police Department for the year 1953.
General Routine
Complaints received and investigated 507
Lost or stolen property reported
$5,773.55
Lost or stolen property recovered $4,573.55
2
License revoked or suspended
53
Auto accidents investigated
Property Damage
43
Personal Injury
16
Fatal Accidents
1
First class Auto Dealers reports filed
51
Second class Auto Dealers reports filed
5
Individual Auto transfers filed
247
Defects in street lights reported
35
Summer Homes and Cottages inspected monthly
1300
Buildings found open and reported to owners
115
Number of escorts furnished
75
Requests for Special Officers
225
Accidental drowning
1
Suicide
1
Fires attended
55
Rescue runs attended
47
Trips Out of Town by Cruiser
Boston City Hospital
1
Boston Police Department
4
Cape Cod Hospital
7
Falmouth Police Department
1
Hyannis Police Department
6
Missing persons reported and acted upon
64
Barnstable House of Correction
Barnstable Superior Court
11
Provincetown Second District Court
20
Taunton State Hospital
23
Yarmouth
1
West Hartford, Connecticut
60,165
Miles covered by Chief's Car
2,300
Court Cases
Operating to Endanger
26
Operating under the Influence
13
Drunk
55
Breaking and Entering in the night time
12
Larceny
21
Grand Larceny
10
Assault and Battery
2
Operating after license expired
1
Operating with defective equipment
1
Operating uninsured Car
1
Leaving the scene of accident
2
Unnatural act and Lascivious act with male child
1
Furnishing and delivering Beer to Minor
1
Attempted Rape
2
Shellfish Violation
3
Warrants served
18
Summons served
55
Confined to the Lockup
80
The efficiency and morale of the members of the Police Department is excellent at this time, and the cooperation be- tween the Chief and the men is at its best again this year.
I take this opportunity of thanking the Board of Select- men, the members of the Finance Committee, and all other departments and their personnel for the fine cooperation and assistance they have extended this past year.
On behalf of the members of the Harwich Police Depart- ment I thank all the Citizens of the Town of Harwich for their fine spirit and cooperation in helping to make this Town one of the outstanding communities of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted,
C. CONRAD NICKERSON, Chief of Police
8
13
Miles covered by Cruisers
7
Operating without a license
65
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measurers
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
twenty first
I herewith respectfully submit my twentieth annual re- port as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Harwich for the year ending December 31, 1953. 195K
Tested
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
Scales
Platform 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs.
15 /5
22/2
Counter under 100 lbs.
46
6 7.
1 /
Spring 100 lbs. or over
25
3
3
1
4
Computing under 100 1bs.
2224
24
2:5
1
1
1
Personal weighing
6
Prescription
1
3
3
Weights
Avoirdupois
30 42
63
53
12
Apothecary
52
52
Metric
25
3.5 10 / 0
Volumetric Measures
Liquid 1 gal. or less
21
18
2
8
19
Dry measures
3
3. 1
Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
Meters 1 in. Inlet
25 24
43
35
2
Vehicle Tank meters
4
2
Bulk Storage meters
1
2
15
1
Grease Measuring Devices
10
1
Quantoin dere
8
Linear Measures
Yard sticks
8
2
2.
Total
117
319
18
-16
134
2.99
26
57
17
Spring under 100 lbs.
18/6
19/2
5
1
1
6
3
Kerosene Pumps
10
10
66
118.25
Money received from Sealing Fees Money received from Transient Vendors' Local License Fees
15.00
133,25
$139.20
Paid Town Treasurer
133 25
$139.20
Money returned to Treasurer by Director of Standards for Pedlers' License Fees
40.00
Total
173,25 $179.20
Inspections made of Pedlers' Licenses
4
Inspections made of Transient Vendors' Licenses
1 1
Other Inspections
Milk Jars
6
Coal Certificates
5
Bread
115 /5
Food packages
140 / 35
Transient Vendors
1
1
Clinical thermometers
44
Pedlers Scales
4
3
Junk Scales la Scala 2
1
1
Retest of Gasoline devices after sealing
13
Total
336
295
300
Trial Weighing and Measurements of Commodities sold or put up for sale
Bread
30
Butter
22
Coal in Transit
1
Confectionary
12
Dry Commodities 220
30
Flour
32
Fruit and Vegetables
30
3 4
Grain and Feed
5
Meat and Provisions
20
Potatoes
27
32
Total
209
Coal in Transit re-weighed
Lbs. 2,000
200 ,
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR S. RYDER Sealer of Weights and Measures
192
25
1
16
4
20
$124.20
10
3
67
Report of the Veterans' Agent
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
Beyond any comparison the year 1953 has been the most active in the history of this Department. Because of the ad- vancing ages of the World War I veterans it is natural to ex- pect that there should be more and more necessity for hos- pital demands, and the nearly 200 Korean participants from this little community has produced many new and perplexing problems. It has necessitated many hours of extra time to properly execute the applications for the Massachusetts Kor- ean Bonus alone, but this has been a pleasant duty and a profitable one for the Town because more than $20,000 has been circulated since September by these deserving cases. This Department has also assisted in Educational and Insur- ance problems and in several instances we have aided in obtaining G. I. loans and new homes for our Harwich veter- ans. We are grateful to the splendid cooperation of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank and to Mr. George Marble in this respect. In fact, having intimate knowledge of experi- ences of veterans in other cities and towns throughout Massa- chusetts we salute our local Bank as among the most friendly in the Commonwealth. The town also was happy to official- ly welcome home a POW, and through the cooperation .of the Red Cross and Miss Grace Crory in particular, we were able to assist in the return of a Japanese wife and baby of another Harwich Korean soldier.
Although the Korean campaign has brought about these new and interesting problems, the case load of the other wars has also increased. During the year we investigated 37 new cases but were able to close nearly one half of these through various sources. Service connection was established in some cases and Part III Non-service connected cases were perma- nently alleviated by the V.A. direct. Others were closed due to workmen's compensation awards and insurance benefits. Also during the year one case was closed as a direct result of the determination of the veteran to rehabilitate himself and he
68
is now entirely on his own, is earning his own living and is grateful to the Town for affording him the opportunity to recuperate and be self supporting. The V.A. has approved fourteen cases as entitled to pensions or compensation and this removes further responsibility of the town to aid these cases.
This Department has received prompt cooperation from the V.A. in obtaining several compassionate transfers and hardship discharges during the year and this sympathetic attention to our presentations is greatly appreciated especial- ly by the parents of the veterans involved.
Again the doctors of Harwich have given freely of their time to assist in the emergency cases requiring hospitaliz- ation and the filing of the important 10-P-10 forms. They have responded at all hours of the day and night and in one case even 4 a.m. did not bring any complaints at being dis- turbed at such an hour. This Department also wishes to ac- knowledge the kindly and intelligent advice received at all times and in all cases by our tireless and faithful visiting nurse, Miss Adelyn Peabody. Her assistance and cooperation has saved the town many dollars for which we express our deep appreciation and where we do office work, make recom- mendations to the State and personally make investigations of each case, her aid is almost indispensable.
The expenses of the Department are broken down as follows: For medical and hospital cases $3,183.36; Emergency Food Orders $1,712.50; Burial expense, $100.00; O.B. (Ordinary Benefits) $7,427.00 which is for the State approved budget covering such items as Food, Fuel, Rent, Insurance, Clothing, etc. It may be of interest to the voters to know that this O.B. assistance is for families in which there are 53 children in- volved. All the above items afforded direct benefits to the veterans and their dependents.
Administrative costs include: $1,200.00 salary of agent; $222.16 telephone; $1,112.92 office expense and travel for in- vestigations; and $31.61 Miscellaneous including photostats of discharges. We have on file a photostatic copy of each and every Form 214 for all Korean veterans. We also have on hand a few originals together with receipts for bonus applications which, although are in safe keeping we would recommend that the veteran call for same as these are very important papers.
The office is open at all times and much service is ren- dered evenings, Sundays and holidays and we are always glad
69
to cheerfully assist any veteran. We are on constant duty and the telephone is Harwich 390. In conclusion let us salute the veterans for their patriotic attitude in all cases, especially those we are obliged to reject. We enjoy serving them, and rejoice with them that the horizon now looks brighter than in several years, with total peace an optimistic possibility. We recognize the harmonious relations and support of the Welfare Department, the Selectmen and all Department heads for their efforts to offer jobs when available for those who are able and anxious to earn a living rather than accept aid. We also thank Philip Carey the State authorizer, and the office of the Commissioner on Beacon Hill, throughout the years for their splendid cooperation and assistance in all Har- wich cases. With 20% of the total population now veterans and 81% of all homes now having veterans or their dependents involved, it is necessary for complete unity and we are happy to report this Department has always received it. May 1954 be a year of prosperity, health and happiness for all veterans of this patriotic community.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY B. ALBRO, Veterans' Agent
Report of the Inspector of Wires
The following inspections were made for added wiring, change-overs from 2 to 3 wire, new construction and con- tractors' services, in the Town of Harwich, for the year ending December 31, 1953. In addition to these official inspections, I have made many other calls with electricians to look over work to be done and given advice as to what should be done, both at home and on the job. That time probably would amount to around 50 hours.
Location
Estimate
West Harwich
$15,435
Time 112 hrs
Inspections 103
Harwichport
8,585
50
69
Harwich
3,760
33
36
South Harwich
3,325
29
26
East Harwich
1,290
19
17
Pleasant Lake
1,725
9
8
North Harwich
780
8
7
Totals
$34,900
260 hrs
266
Respectfully submitted,
BRADFORD L. BARRETT Inspector of Wires
70
Report of the Highway Surveyor
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
I hereby submit my report for year of 1953.
An unusual amount of patching and maintenance work was necessary again this year. Many of our roads have been seal coated, besides several new roads to build and maintain. Gravel roads have been scraped and graded several times, brush cut and mowed in different sections of town, drains cleaned and repaired, catch basins installed where needed. Wooden and cement posts have been painted and replaced where needed. This kind of work is continued each year. Street signs have been repaired and replaced.
Each year our town takes on more roads to build and maintain and as we do not have the required equipment to do the necessary work, it has caused my department to do considerable hiring of outside equipment this past year. I have asked (for my department) for two pieces of machinery which would be a great saving to the Town, to own, as the need will be greater each year.
I would like to thank all Town Departments for their co- operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON P. HALL
Highway Surveyor
General Repairs
Appropriation
$35,000.00
Labor
$16,642.85
Gas & Oli
1,747.15
Seal Coating Material
5,883.26
Cape & Vineyard
60.86
Telephone Co.
168.02
Fuel
281.74
Office Supplies
21.83
Grader
1,054.50
Bull dozer
1,627.00
71
Roller
40.00
Hiring of Trucks
400.00
Equipment and Repairs
1,512.98
Materials
5,104.20
Signs®
422.03
$34,966.42
Balance
$33.58
Snow Removal
Appropriation
$4,000.00
Labor
$796.38
Hiring of Trucks
277.50
Equipment
1,123.70
$2,197.58
Balance
$1,802.42
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Appropriation
$3,000.00
Labor
$586.20
Hot Mix
241.15
Stone
930.56
Trucks and Roller
312.50
Seal Coating
927.23
$2,997.64
Balance
$2.36
Long Pond Drive
Appropriation
$4,000.00
Labor
$1,732.95
Equipment and Materials
1,608.00
Sand and Loam
137.50
Seal Coating
517.93
$3,996.38
Balance
$3.62
Gorham Road
Appropriation
$3,000.00
Labor
$835.13
Equipment
508.00
Materials
32.20
Seal Coating
1,618.17
$2,993.50
Balance
$6.50
72
Queen Anne Road
$2,700.00
Appropriation
Labor
$501.46
Equipment
392.00
Materials
166.00
Seal Coating
1,639.92
$2,699.38
Balance
.62
Fences and Railings
$600.00
Labor
$265.65
Materials
331.74
$597.39
Balance
$2.61
Bridges
Appropriation
$600.00
Labor
$96.30
Materials
441.29
$537.59
Balance
$62.41
Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the year the Planning Board has approved fifteen different subdivisions of property, all of which have been re- viewed and passed upon by the representative of the Board of Health. Several Public Hearings have been necessary to act on subdivisions, following which regular meetings of the Board would be held to act on preliminary plans and other board matters. A meeting was held with two representatives each from the Garden and Women's Clubs. This meeting proved to be of real value for general discussion of Town improvements.
The Board sponsored the extension of the Harwich Pro- tective By-law to the Pleasant Bay area of East Harwich which was adopted at the last Town Meeting. This year the Board is sponsoring an article for the extension of this By- law to the remaining portion of Harwich, namely, Harwich Center, North Harwich, Pleasant Lake, and the remaining area of East Harwich. A Special Public Meeting was held in Exchange Hall Dec. 4th at 8 P.M. to discuss the details before
Appropriation
73
the article was prepared for the warant for the coming Town Meeting.
The Board has been disappointed in not being able to report completion of all the work on beaches voted at the last Town Meeting, but the change in our state administration held up the approval for their work on the jetties. Through the assistance of Senator Stone, one jetty was completed by the State from the Erosion Fund. The jetty is at the foot of Deep Hole Road, and a large quantity of sand was trucked in to build up the beach again. This work is at the west end of the planned area and the Board feels that the Town is en- titled to more better-built and higher jetties to build up the badly eroded beach of this important area. With the help of our Selectmen and Representative it is hoped that this work can be carried forward in the early Spring so as to be ready for the Summer visitors.
During the year new legislation was passed which be- came effective Oct. 2nd with entire revision of chapter 41 G.L., sec. 81A to 81Y inclusive, under which the Board oper- ates. The Board learned after several interviews that without our Building Code, Health Board Rules, and Protective By- Law in the areas covered, it would not effect our subdivision rules and regulations to any great extent. An article was submitted to the Cape Cod Standard Times explaining this detail, which they published Nov. 23, 1953 under the caption "Information to Sub-dividers of Property in Harwich".
The Board wishes to again confirm their appreciation of the splendid cooperation received from the Town Depart- ments, also, to all the citizens who have been most helpful in making our work effective.
The following is a report of the expenditures for the year:
Appropriation
$300.00
Advertising Hearings and By-Laws $34.35
Printing & Equipment 42.12 76.46
Unexpended balance to revenue
$223.53
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. JOHNSON, Chairman ESTHER A. STIDSTONE, Clerk
R. B. SNOW
E. W. DYBING
ROSWELL H. NYE
Harwich Planning Board
74
Report of Recreation Advisory Council
The third annual report of the Recreation Advisory Coun- cil indicates a year of progress and growth due to the efforts of a corps of tireless enthusiastic volunteers. About 200 men and women in all age groups have attended 384 classes in basic color and design, bird carving, block-printing, ceramics, furniture decoration, leathercraft, rug-hooking and braiding, oil painting, portraiture, sculpture, stencil-tole painting, photo and water-color. We would like to emphasize the fact that these classes are entirely self-supporting; approximately $1,500.00 have been received and paid out to instructors.
In addition to these classes, the Advisory Council initiated two professional art exhibits as well as the annual showing of classwork. And, with even greater success, it continued and expanded the Junior Theatre.
The first Winter Exhibition of Cape Cod artists and sculp- tors, sponsored by the Arts and Crafts Department, was held in February. The 5-day show created widespread interest, evidenced by the attendance of well over 800 from all parts of the Cape and as far away as Boston. About one quarter of the visitors were children brought by teachers and Scout leaders.
More than a score of Cape artists, many of them well known in national and international art centers, loaned paintings, sculpture, mobiles and pottery.
The third annual exhibit of Arts and Crafts classes was held in May. On display were a variety of hand-crafted articles, paintings and carvings of high competence, all from the classes held at the Recreation Building.
A summer Art Exhibit, featuring paintings in oil and water color by Cape artists, was open to the public for two weeks in July. Over 300 attended this show sponsored by the Recreation Council in conjunction with the Cape Cod Art Association.
From ably-directed Junior and Senior Baton Classes, held at the Rerceation Building, moppet twirlers and teen- agers strut their stuff. Class fees of $163.50 were received and paid to the instructor.
The Men's Volley-Ball League and the Youth's Basketball League, promoted by the Athletic Committee, have grown steadily in popularity indicated by the number of enthusiastic participants.
75
Sponsored by the Recreation Council, the Harwich Junior Theatre completed its second successful season in a round of glory. Although born and housed in Harwich, the only theatre on Cape Cod producing children's plays exclusively, is a Cape-wide project. Representing many sections of the Cape and several states, summer and winter residents have worked together in the development of a true community theatre and non-profit organization.
To stage a production successfully, both acting and stage crews are essential and to this end at least 206 volunteers have helped during two seasons. Six plays have been pre- sented at 14 performances. The premiere audience of 400 increased to 1341 at the final productions of Treasure Island, with a grand total just under 3500 for the second season.
The Harwich Junior Theatre started on a shoestring, is entirely self-supporting, depending upon revenue from paid admissions to finance the cost of production which also in- cludes the services of the Director-and on the generosity of the Community for much-needed costume materials and props of every description. $1,526.78 was received from the sale of tickets for the second season and the same amount has been expended.
For clarification, we may add that the Harwich Junior Theatre is Not Just a Summer-Time Project! The Director and the Harwich Junior Theatre Committee work and plan the year 'round and also search for and read new plays. The activities of the Director, acting and costume crews began in the spring with a skit presented in the schools of this dis- trict, for publicity and advance season ticket sale. During that week children were permitted to purchase tickets at a reduced rate. Then followed a fifteen-week intensive program when the Director spent 16 hours a day, seven days a week, on the thousand and one details essential to a successful pro- duction.
It was our good fortune to secure the volunteer services of a competent apprentice experienced in Children's Theatre. In return for her time, she, together with all the members of the crew, received valuable training that could only be duplicated in an expensive theatrical school. Residence for the apprentice was included in the cost of production.
To round out the Theatre program, a class in Creative Dramatics was added this summer.
It is interesting to note that the Council also initiated and took part in a Halloween celebration for the wee ones, up to and through the 5th grade, which was ably carried on by the Junior Woman's Club.
76
As a resident of Harwich, you are a member of the Coun- cil, which meets the Second Wednesday of each month, at 8 P. M., in the Recreation Building.
Officers for this year include: President, Corwin Perisho; Vice-president, Miss Adelyn Peabody; Secretary, Mrs. Alice Champion Morris; Treasurer, Herbert C. Moran.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE CHAMPION MORRIS, Secretary.
Report of the Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my Annual Report as Building Inspec- tor for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Number of Permits issued 171
Number of Permits cancelled 2
Total Permits
169
Number of Inspections
615
Mileage covered in 1953
4,340
Permits listed as follows:
Year round Dwellings
83
Summer Cottages
12
Camps
1
Motels
2
Commercial Buildings
7
Garages
4
Additions and Alterations
60
Estimated cost of New Construction-$866,100.00
Appropriation for 1953
$2,500.00
Salary and Expenses $2,460.22
Payments 2,460.22
Balance to Revenue $39.78
Paid Town for Permits
$366.00
Respectfully submitted,
WINSLOW B. SAWYER Building Inspector
77
Report of the Playground and Recreation Commission
The Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission present its annual report to the townspeople with pleasure and a feeling of pride in the accomplishments of the past year.
The term recreation implies a multitude of activities de- pending on the age and tastes of the participants. For some time, many people have been deluded as to the purposes of our Commission, feeling that it is a general give-away pro- gram which strips the tax payers of hard earned dollars. We have tried as far as possible to make activities-particularly for adults-self-supporting. The object is not to replace the home as a center of recreational activities, but to give those who desire it some hobby, craft or sport with which to enrich family life. Thus many mothers and fathers have enjoyed classes in the arts and crafts sponsored by the Harwich Re- creation Advisory Council, and held in the building main- tained by the Harwich Plyaground and Recreation Commis- sion. Boys and girls have participated in organized sports, play and craft work which in turn have given new direction to their lives. We cannot begin to compute the many bene- fits an active recreation program gives to the community, but letters in our files show that winter and summer folks alike appreciate the "extra attractions" Harwich offers. Later in this report is a general breakdown of the monies spent by the Commission which will clarify for the townspeople the purposes of the Commission.
Our duties are three-fold. First, we provide the facilities for recreational pursuits for all people in Harwich. Second, we initiate or give financial help to new activities when the need arises. Our third task-although more nebulous-is not the least important. It consists of overall planning for the future.
We would be remiss indeed in our duty if we did not point out the need for more land for recreational purposes. We are not the first and undoubtedly will not be the last to emphasize that with the growth of the town, less and less land remains available for public use. And with the addition of each new home, the need for planning for future play- ground uses becomes more apparent. As the Town lacks such and area, the Playground and Recreation Commission, after careful study, finds that such areas, properly located in the
78
center of the school population, have rapidly disappeared from the market except for a suitable acreage north of Brooks Park. Therefore, an article will be presented for the peoples' consideration at the February 1954 Town Meeting that the Town purchase this acreage for recreational pur- poses. Its development would be on a long term plan, guided by the desires and demands of the people.
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