USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1953 > Part 6
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During this past year, the Harwich Recreation Building has housed many activities including Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub and Sea Scouts, classes of all descriptions, play rehear- sals, whist parties and other social gatherings, elections, art exhibitions, and many other meetings. The great percentage of the money allotted to the Commission goes toward the fuel, lights, and custodial services needed to maintain this building. Throughout 1953, 16,212 people used the building to the extent of 885 rooms, as against 665 rooms used in 1952 by 14,870 people. This is a remarkable growth since the in- ception of Harwich recreation in 1950.
During the winter, the Harwich Playground and Recre- ation Commission in conjunction with the Harwich Recre- ation Advisory Council sponsored a part time sports program for both adults and children. On Monday nights, volleyball and basketball were enjoyed by adults at the High School, and Saturday mornings were devoted to basketball teams made up of boys of Junior High School age.
This past summer saw the continuation of the athletic program under the direction of Mr. David Bailey. During nine weeks Mr. Bailey taught swimming to various classes in the mornings and devoted his afternoons to tennis, golf, and baseball school. These classes were open to all winter and summer residents of Harwich, and proved to be an even greater success than during the previous year. The swim- ming classes were particularly popular with the youngsters who enjoyed instruction in everything from swimming funda- mentals to Junior Life Saving certificates.
Due to many requests, we again sponsored for four weeks, the Village Play School under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Ford and Mrs. Asenath Jensen. This provided a worthwhile organized activity for any of the younger members of our community who wished to join the happy games, craft work and play which Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Jensen so capably super- vised. Volunteers from the community gave valuable time in instructing the youngsters in art work and dish gardening. The final day of school was a gala occasion for the children as they showed their masterpieces, in arts, crafts, and gar- dening to their parents and friends and gave a spirited per- formance of the old favorite "Robin Hood."
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The following figures give the 1953 expenditures of the Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission.
Custodian Services
$1,627.00
Custodian Expenses
210.72
Electricity
195.60
Telephone
62.09
Water
24.00
Fuel
454.05
Rubbish Removal
29.50
Village Play School-Salaries
225.00
Equipment
12.52
Athletic-Salaries
582.50
Equipment
41.03
Administration
12.07
Furniture & Fixtures
257,40
Returned to Revenue 6.52
$3,740.00
Number of rooms used in the Harwich Rec. Bldg.
885
Number of persons using the Harwich Rec. Bldg.
16,212
As in the past, the Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission is most grateful to the Harwich Recreation Ad- visory Council which is composed of volunteers from the com- munity. It is this group which is responsible for the many self-supporting activities and makes it possible for Harwich to have a recreation program which is the equal if not the better of many communities which spend thousands of dol- lars more a year to subsidize classes and other recreational programs. We're proud of the community spirit the Council evidences and hope that all the taxpayers in Harwich may gain from the attached report a clearer idea of the func- tions of this group. It must be emphasized that the Harwich Recreation Advisory Council is a volunteer organization and the figures given in their report are not a part of the funds voted to the Playground and Recreation Commission.
Too often we cannot say "thanks" to the many, many volunteers that have contributed to the recreation program as a whole and the Commission wishes to do so now. Our gratitude goes, too, to the selectmen and members of other town committees who have given us so much help.
Respectfully submitted,
EARLE F. BASSETT, Chairman PRISCILLA D. BALDWIN, Sec. VIRGINIA S. DOANE
RAYMOND H. GRAYSON
H. MORRISON MITCHELL
Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission
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Report of the Park Commission
The increasing use of the Parks in Harwich by an ever- growing number of people is evident each year. In review we mention new projects accomplished and new ones planned. The tennis court was flooded with the cooperation of the Fire Department and used when weather permitted by the young- sters. The rail fence around Brooks Park was extended and roses planted on it. A fence was also put along the bank at the edge of the ball field. The ball field was improved by re- grading and seeding. The extremely dry weather in June, along with the lack of sufficient water, caused us to lose some of the new grass. We plan an extension of the water so that this can be taken care of. Painting of the stand seats and flagpoles was accomplished. Re-grading of the tennis court and part of the parking area around it was done. The steady increase in the use of the tennis court by the summer visitors makes it necessary to plan the addition of another court. New tape and posts were installed in the old one.
A large area was cleared in the Earl Road Park for picnic purposes. The Harwich Rotary Club installed one picnic table here and one at Bank Street beach. More clearing is planned at Earl Road. A policeman was maintained at Bank Street beach this past summer. The selectmen will maintain this in the future.
The water hole in Brooks Park was filled in by the High- way Department. Grading and seeding was done by the Park Department from the special appropriation for that purpose. We now have a beautiful spot for picnics and games. More picnic tables were added here and a fireplace is planned. The Welfare Department cooperated with us, and we used men without work last winter to clear several acres of brush from the woodland in Brooks Park. A total of 37 eight-hour days was thus made use of with Welfare Department funds. In return we employed them for several weeks in the spring on the ball park with Park Department funds.
The nursery started last year was enlarged, and we have some shrubs and trees growing for future use. New signs were erected directing people to the Long Pond beach and Earl Road beach. Hardening was added to the area at Long Pond to enlarge the parking area. A picnic table was added here and became very popular. We plan to add more here.
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Tulip bulbs have been planted in nine memorial squares. Evergreens were added to four memorial squares. Shrubbery donated by the Harwich Garden Club was planted in Wheeler and Doane Park. Flower beds were maintained in Brooks and Doane Parks.
A Fourth of July celebration was held at Brooks Park as well as several band concerts and many ball games by the Town team, the High School league, and the Pony League. Summer coaching of baseball, volley ball, tennis, and many other games was carried on by the Recreation Commission. Several hundred people made use of the picnic area here. This brings us to one of our greatest needs-a tool house and rest rooms. With hundreds of people using the Park daily during the summer we need rest rooms. There is no adequate place to store the tools for the Park Department. We are, therefore, inserting an article in the Town Warrant for con- sideration for this need.
We wish to thank the citizens, the Highway, Welfare, and other Town Departments for their cooperation this year.
EXPENDITURES
Special appropriation
Brooks Park water hole
$400.00
Machine hire, labor, materials
$399.63
Balance to revenue
$.37
Appropriation
$6,655.00
Material
$1,651.25
Labor
3,906.53
Water
36.00
Truck and Machine Hire
950.00
Mowing machine repair
100.46
Electricity
8.84
$6,653.08
Balance
$1.92
Expenditures as to Parks
Brooks Park
1
Tennis court and parking area
$603.95
Nursery
222.15
Park
981.46
Picnic area
315.97
Ballfield
2,868.60
$4,992.13
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Bank Street Parking Lot Wheeler and Doane Park Earl Road Park Long Pond Park 10 Other Memorial Parks
858.70
187.60
190.61
172.48
251.56
$6,653.08
Respectfully submitted,
REGINALD P. KENDALL
EMULOUS HALL, JR.
WILLIAM CHASE
Park Commissioners
Jury List
Baker, Channing N .- Farmer Cahoon, Walter E .- Caretaker Carter, Alfred T .- Business man Crowell, Cleon S .- Retired Dakin, Marion H .- Housewife Davis, David M .- Business man Doble, Charles F .- Retired Dreher, Raymond C .- Retired Fournier, Elizabeth G .- Housewife Hall, Mervyn A .- Retired Leadbetter, Edna M .- Housewife Maguire, Helena T .- Housewife McLean, Frank W .- Retired
Munsey, Roger W .- Contractor Petersen, Harold R .- Retired Phipps, Irvin R. - Retired Raneo, John S .- Carpenter Roderick, Edmund D .- Caretaker Thompson, Biddle R. Jr .- Farmer Trowbridge, Alfred F .- Business man VanBuskirk, Lothian I .- Retired Welt, Milton H .- Artist Wiggin, Philip G .- Retired
South Harwich Harwich Port West Harwich Harwich Port
Harwich Port
Harwich Port
Harwich Port Harwich Port West Harwich North Harwich Harwich Center Harwich Center Harwich Center East Harwich Pleasant Lake Pleasant Lake Harwich Center Harwich Center Pleasant Lake South Harwich Harwich Port South Harwich Harwich Center
83
Report of the Moth Department
I herewith submit my annual report as Pest Control Superintendent for the year ending December 31, 1953.
I am sorry to report that while the Tent Caterpillar and Fall Webworm have been on a slight decrease, the Gypsy Moth was more prevalent than at any time since the large aerial spraying program of 1949. Because of a small out- break of these pests in May, three hundred and twenty acres of heavy wood land had to be sprayed by airplane. The cost to the town for this work was one hundred and six dollars and forty cents. The State Department of Conservation paid the balance of approximately two hundred and fifty dollars.
On the first of July, thirty five moth traps furnished by the U.S.D.A. were set in the different parts of the town, as recommended by the State. Each trap was visited at least twice a week, for a period of two months. A total of twenty two male gypsy moth millers were caught as compared wtih last year's catch of only two. This large increase of trapped millers was about the same in every town on the Cape. The State now has every reason to believe that this condition was caused by the Worcester tornado on June 9, or that a reinfes- tation of the gypsy moth may be taking place in some part of Barnstable county.
Only by thorough scouting of the many acres where these millers were caught, can we positively determine if such a reinfestation has occured, and on November 10 the finance committee, on the recommendation of the State Department of Natural Resources transferred two-hundred and fifty dol- lars to be used for this work. A total of five-hundred acres of heavy underbrush were examined, but not one fertile egg cluster was found. This work must be continued at a later date.
The Dutch Elm Disease has at last become a serious threat to our large Elm trees. In 1952 the nearest towns to Harwich having this disease were Falmouth and Sandwich, but in July of this year, it was reported Orleans had eleven cases of this, the most dreaded of all tree diseases.
During the Spring, I received many calls from residents of East Harwich who were very much concerned about the dying appearance of pine trees in that part of town. This condition was caused by a new worm called a Pine Needle Miner. A representative from the State Department of For- estry was called, and he recommended a spraying of D.D.T.,
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but as there were no funds appropriated for this work I contacted the Selectmen who were very much interested. Through their fine cooperation and of the finance committee, three hundred dollars were transferred to the Moth Depart- ment to cover the cost of this spraying. The results were very good.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON Moth Department
Moth Department
Appropriation
$1,700.00
Transferred from reserve fund to be
used in scouting for egg clusters
250.00
Total
$1,950.00
Gypsy Moth
320 acres sprayed
Labor
$711.46
Transportation
127.83
Truck hire
12.00
Airplane hire
106.40
Telephone
6.81
Insecticides furnished by State
000.00
Total
$964.50
Tent Caterpillar
Labor
$360.44
Truck hire
126.00
Transportation
13.46
Insecticides
66.06
Gasoline & oil for sprayer
24.00
Supplies
47.07
Total
$637.03
Misc. spray (oakworm, etc.)
Labor
$85.90
Truck hire
38.25
Insecticides
25.24
Gasoline & oil for sprayer
11.77
Total
Fall Webworm
Labor
$50.00
Transportation
15.00
$161.16
Total
$65.00
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Repairs on sprayer
Labor
$39.55
Transportation
12.50
Sprayer parts
63.60
Machine shop
2.80
Telephone
3.86
Total
$122.31
Total Expenditures
$1,950.00
Control of the Dutch Elm Disease
Appropriation
$600.00
Removing dead wood from elm trees
One dead elm tree removed
Labor
$308.73
Truck hire
66.00
Transportation
8.00
Power saw
12.00
Total
$394.73
Spraying elm trees
Labor
$120.80
Truck hire
55.50
Transportation
6.00
Supplies
2.25
Postage on samples
1.67
Total
$186.22
Total Expenditures
$580.95
Carried over to 1954
19.05
$600.00
Repairs on Large Sprayer
Appropriation
$350.00
Labor
$42.50
Fitzhenry-Guptill Co. pump repairs
302.18
Total
$344.68
Total expenditures
$344.68
Carried over to 1954
5.32
$350.00
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Spraying Pine Trees in East Harwich
Transferred from reserve fund
$300.00
Labor
$139.20
Truck hire
87.00
Insecticides
48.00
Gasoline & oil for sprayer
14.09
Total
$288.29
Total expenditures
$288.29
Returned to revenue
11.71
$300.00
Report of the Plumbing Inspector
To the Board of Health
Town of Harwich, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for 1953:
Estimated Cost of Plumbing
$135,269.00
Turned in to Treasurer of the Town
$263.00
Total Permits issued
263
Dwellings
232
Inns
4
Recreation
1
Restaurants
3
Laundry
1
Stores
3
Motels
2
Clubs
2
Duplex
1
Comfort Station
1
Guest Houses
6
Dental Lab.
1
Hotel
1
Apartment
1
Garage 1
Inspections by Inspector
331
Inspections by Asst. Inspector
119
There has been a decrease in permits issued due to less new construction.
Respectfully submitted,
COURTENAY N. CHASE
Plumbing Inspector
87
Report of the Forestry Department
I herewith submit my annual report as Tree Warden for the year ending December 31, 1953.
. The demands of this department during the year have been the same as usual, except there was no damage to our shade trees because of severe winds. Money that ordinarily was spent on this type of work was used in the feeding, and care of the younger trees set out by the town, and I can truthfully say this was the first year this has been possible.
The number of dead trees taken down have increased some-what. Nineteen of these trees were on the edge of town roads, and had become very dangerous to vehicles, or anyone walking under them. Of this number there were three silver poplar, two maples, five oak, and nine pine.
During this coming year three large silver poplars on Pine Street in the camp ground will have to be pruned of all large limbs hanging over the road, or be taken down. These trees although they are living, are now on such an angle they may fall in the street at any time.
The Selectmen gave this department written permission to use a piece of town owned land at the rear of the highway department building. This land is now being used to take care of new trees on their arrival, and a shade tree nursery for this department. The soil is very good for this purpose except poison ivy is very plentiful. We now have growing several hundred red pine, and spruce, and several hundred large native linden, and maples. With shade trees as expen- sive as they are, I do hope this work can continue.
A total of forty-three Maples were set out, and cared for during the year. They were set out in different parts of the town as follows: Harwich Center, fifteen; Harwichport, twelve; East Harwich, four; North Harwich, three; West Har- wich, four; South Harwich, four; and Great Western Road, one. These trees were set out in locations having the best soil, and in a few years they should be able to more or less care for themselves. This coming year if money is appropri- ated for more shade trees I do hope the planning board, and myself can get together on the locations. I don't know what their plans on roads are.
I want to thank everyone for their co-operation through- out this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON Tree Warden
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FORESTRY DEPARTMENT (Tree Warden)
$800.00
Appropriation
Removal of dead trees
19 dead trees removed
Labor
$146.95
Truck hire
133.50
Power saw
65.82
Supplies
30.65
Telephone
3.17
Misc.
9.75
Total
$389.84
Trimming trees
Labor
$36.80
Truck hire
36.00
Supplies
32.29
Total
$105.09
Feeding & care of trees
Labor
$120.12
Truck hire
110.25
Fertilizer, etc.
29.94
Telephone
1.46
Total
$261.77
Nursery
Labor
$25.30
Truck hire
18.00
Total
$43.30
Total expenditures
$800.00
PLANTING SHADE TREES
Appropriation
$500.00
Labor
$93.14
Truck hire
72.75
Norway maples (32)
314.50
Fertilizer, etc.
19.50
Total expenditures
$499.89
Carried over to 1954
.11
Total
$500.00
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Fourth of July Celebration 1953
Appropriation
$1,000.00
Fire Works Display
$750.00
Band Concert
150.00
Orchestra for Block Dance
50.00
Labor for setting up display
8.00
Lumber for display
22.02
Labor to clean staging
4.60
Paper for decorations
1.21
Oil cloth for sign
4.83
$995.28
Balance to reserve
9.34
Total $1,000.00
Staging loaned by Harwich Lumber Company, Inc. Trailer for Block Dance loaned by Bud McKenney
Sign painted by Milton Welt
4
Much time and labor given free by Roger Munsey, Francis B. Larkin, Postmaster and Charles A. Hall, Fire Chief.
Fireworks Committee
Francis B. Larkin, Chairman
Charles A. Hall, Fire Chief
Conrad C. Nickerson, Police Chief
Marshall Sieberman, Jr.
Milton Welt
Tim McKenney
Roger Munsey
Wayne Robinson
Selectmen Howard Cahoon Alton Walker Stephen Weeks C. Morey, Secretary
90
Fire Department and Forest Warden's Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and to the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
I hereby respectfully submit the annual report of the Fire Dept. and Forest Warden's Dept. for the year 1953.
Personnel
Rank
Name
Address
Years Service
Chief
Charles A. Hall
West Harwich
Seven
Dep. Chief
Arthur H. Chase
Harwich
Thirty-six
Dep. Chief
Fred T. Young, Jr.
Harwichport
Twenty-four
Capt. (Rescue Squad)
Sheldon Thayer
South Harwich
Six
Capt. (Charge of Equipment)
Thomas Egan
West Harwich
Seven
Capt. (Mechanic)
William Fratus
Harwichport
Six
Capt. (Drillmaster)
Herbert Clapp, Jr.
Pleasant Lake
Eleven
Ladder #1
Lieutenant
Brenton I. Wixon
Harwich
Seven
Ladderman
Samuel J. Arsenault
Harwichport
Four
Ladderman
Leon C. Our
Harwichport
Seven
Ladderman
Russell Ritchie
Harwich
Two
Ladderman
Eugene Winston
Harwichport
Thirteen
Ladderman
Douglas Gardner
Harwichport
Two
Ladderman
Charles Barrett
Harwichport
Two
Ladderman
Douglas Witherell
Harwich
Four
Engine #2
Lieutenant
Arthur P. Doane, Jr. Harwich
Seven
Hoseman
John Daluze
Pleasant Lake
Seven
Hoseman
Alfred B. Higgins
East Harwich
Four
Hoseman
Edward Shaw
Harwichport
Four
Hoseman
Emulous E. Hall, Jr.
Harwich
Seven
Hoseman
Alfred T. Carter
West Harwich
Six
Engine #3
Lieutenant
Roger Munsey
East Harwich
Seven
Hoseman
B. Harold Eldredge
Harwichport
Seven
Hoseman
Lovell Ernst
Harwich
Two
Hoseman
Clayton E. Chase
Harwich
Eight
Hoseman
Robert Greenough
Harwich
Two
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Engine #4
Lieutenant
John Alden Ellis
North Harwich
Six
Hoseman
Allin P. Thompson
Harwich
Three
Hoseman
James Miller
West Harwich
Five
Hoseman
Kenneth F. Coulson
Harwich
Five
Hoseman
Harold Peterson
Pleasant Lake One
Hoseman
Charles Folsom
Harwich
One
Dispatchers
Mrs. B. Harold Eldredge
Harwich Port
Mrs. Madeline Eldridge
Harwich Port
Mrs. A. Preston Doane
Harwich
Mrs. C. Douglas Gardner
Harwich Port
Mrs. Lovell Ernst
Harwich
Mrs. Charles A. Hall
West Harwich
Life Members
Mr. John Condon
(Ex-Forest Warden)
Harwich
Mr. George Moody
(Ex-Fire Chief)
North Harwich
Mrs. George Moody
(Ex-Dispatcher)
North Harwich
Mr. William C. Chase
(Ex-Fireman)
Harwich Port
Mr. Francis Nickerson
(Ex-Fireman)
Harwich Port
Sgt. G. Norman Ostby
(Ex-Fire Chief)
Harwich
Sgt. Charles Pratt
(Ex-Fireman)
Harwich
Town of Harwich Insurance Rating
(1) Property subject to minimum rates: (Grade D)
(2) Specifically rated property: (7th Class)
Statistics
(1) Total number of fire and rescue alarms answered:
NORTH HARWICH Fire - 8
Rescue - 11
Total - 19
EAST HARWICH Fire - 9 Rescue - 12 Total - 21
SOUTH HARWICH Fire - 17 Rescue - 6
Total - 23
WEST HARWICH Fire - 42 Rescue - 21
Total - 63
HARWICH PORT Fire - 26
Rescue - 39
Total - 65
HARWICH CENTER Fire - 19 Rescue - 22
Total - 41
PLEASANT LAKE
Fire - 11
Rescue - 6 Total - 17
OUT OF TOWN Fire - 1
Rescue - 12
Total - 13
Fire - 133
Rescue - 129
Total - 262
(2) Total hours of service at alarms:
FIRE 147 hours
37 minutes
RESCUE 291 hours
4 minutes
Total
438 hours
41 minutes
(3) Total miles covered answering alarms:
FIRE
615 miles
RESCUE
4779 miles
Total
5394 miles
92
(4) Total number of alarms answered by:
A. Ladder No. 1. 33
B. Engine No. 2 91
C. Engine No. 3 13
D. Engine No. 4 17
E. Engine No. 5 47
F. Rescue No. 1 162
(5) Total number of fire and rescue alarms by type:
A. Building
25
B. Woods and Brush
22
C. Grass
18
D. Chimney 4
E. Electrical
3
F. False or Needless
5
G. Vehicle 6
H. Dump
13
I. Investigations
19
J. Civil Defense Tests 1
K. Service
15
L. Boat
1
M. Out of Town
1
N. Rescue:
(1) Auto and Pedestrian accidents 19
(2) Maternity
6
(3) Suicides and attempted
1
(4) Dead on arrival 2
(5) Drownings
1
(6) Home, play and work accidents
11
(7) Surgical
1
(8) Medical
70
(9) First aid at fire station
3
(10) Lost Boats
1
(11) Dragging operations
2
(12) Worcester Disaster Area
4
(13) Out of Town
8
Total 262
(6) Trips to various hospitals with Rescue Truck:
A. Cape Cod Hospital 108
8
C. Camp Edwards Hospital
1
D. Providence Veterans
1
Total 118
(7) Total Acres of woodland burned
15.7 acres
(8) Total acres of grassland burned
6.3 acres
(9) Deaths attributed to fires None
(10) Total number of Gas and Oil Storage inspections made 658
(11) Total number of Gas and Oil Storage permits issued
206
(12) Total number of Open Air Permits issued:
754
(13) Estimated value of property involved:
Buildings
$487,600.00
Contents
159,450.00
Vehicles
1,500.00
Total
$648,550.00
B. Barnstable County Sanatorium
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(14) Estimated damage to property involved:
Buildings
$7,470.00
Contents
1,950.00
Vehicles
25.00
(Gross Fire Loss) Total
$9,420.00
1953 Appropriations and Budget
Account
Fire Chiefs Salary
$3,700.00
$3,700.00
Perm. Firemen Salary
6,000.00
6,000.00
Call Firemen Salary
4,150.00
4,147.86
$2,14
Equip & Supplies
2,364.00
$17.94
2,346.06
Radio & Maintenance
833.00
$9.70
819.06
4.24
Telephone
269.00
$22.19
291.19
Electricity
280.00
68.48
348.48
Town Water
26.00
1.61
24.00
.39
Heating Fuel
644.00
46.29
690.29
Vehicle Maintenance
2,800.00
103.46
2,696.54
L.P. Gas
83.00
4.25
78.75
$21,149.00
$136.96
$136.96 $21,142.23
$6.77
Special Accounts NEW TRUCK ACCOUNT
Appropriation
Expended
$17,000.00 17,000.00
.00
HOSE ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$1,150.00
Expended
1,150.00
.00
Trans. to other Accts.
Trans. fr other Accts.
Ex-
To pended Revenue
The unusual character and severity of the fires and other emergencies facing the nation's fire service, is being written in the daily fire department reports, and in the nation's press from coast to coast. It is something that must have more serious consideration by the fire service and townspeople.
At the risk of being repetitious I quote a truism which helps drive home the point. Whether reviewed from the standpoint of peacetime or wartime emergencies, the fact should be self evident that in any serious emergency no matter whether man made, fire, explosion, train wreck, or "act of God" such as tornado, flood, earthquake, the first agency to be called upon for help is the fire service. The fire service is expected to respond, without delay, with all necessary equipment, and trained personnel to cope with the situation.
94
The people of this town have supported us in our plan, to prepare this department to cope with any situation by supporting our requests for equipment and manpower. We have a good start, but steady growth and improvements must continue, to enable us to be prepared for all emergencies.
This year I am requesting another permanent man, who is needed to carry on the Oil and Gas Installation Program set up by State Law. This is a program which must be car- ried on diligently, not only because it is a State Law, but because of the protection it provides for the homeowner from questionable installers, and the great reduction in the pos- sibilities of fire, or explosion from these installations. He would also provide some relief from the long hours worked by the present two men, who now work seventy-seven and eighty-four hours per week.
The article for the ambulance has been inserted in the Town warrant by request of many townspeople, who, either through actually using the Rescue Truck as an ambulance in an emergency, or, having talked with people who know the situation that now exist in regards to its use as an am- bulance. Mainly its riding qualities. To understand the prob- lem, one must understand the difference between a Rescue Truck and an Ambulance. A Rescue Truck is a piece of equip- ment designed to carry the many necessary tools needed for rescue operations, which by the very nature and number of these tools must be on a truck chassis. An Ambulance, as you all know, is a vehicle specially designed to transport the seri- ously ill, or injured, in a safe, speedy and most important, comfortable manner, so as not to aggravate the injury or ill- ness. The Harwich Fire Association realizing the need, for a Rescue Truck purchased one, with many contributions from their friends. Through necessity it has been used more and more as an Ambulance. We now feel that it has proven its value and need, so wish your support for a real Ambulance.
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