USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1953 > Part 7
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I wish to thank all the men and women of the depart- ment for their cooperation given me since my appointment as Acting Fire Chief; to the members and Chiefs of other towns, and to the citizens of Harwich, thank you.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. HALL, Acting Chief Harwich Fire Department
95
Report of the Welfare Department
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
With an average case load of 130 per month, including all categories of relief for the year 1953, the following report of money expended shows a total of $122,791.00 for aid rendered and receipts of $94,012.05. Administration shows a total of $9,512.60 expended and receipts of $3,453.03.
Total Expenditures Welfare Aid
$122,791.00
Welfare:
Outside Poor (16)
$6,820.20
Harwich Cases, Other Towns (9)
2,004.33
Poor Other Towns (5)
1,544.24
State Cases (7)
3,142.88
Total (37 cases aided)
$13,511.65
Old Age Assistance :
Paid from Town Fund
$45,000.00
Paid from U.S. Federal Fund
44,940.33
Total (118 cases aided)
$89,940.33
Aid to Dependent Children:
Paid from Town Fund $6,000.00
($1,000.00 transfer from Reserve Fund.)
Paid from U.S. Federal Grant 7,614.34
Total (15 cases aided)
$13,614.34
Disability Assistance :
Paid from Town Fund
$3,552.20
Paid from U.S. Federal Grant 2,172.48
Total (4 cases aided)
$5,724.68
Total Receipts Welfare Aid:
$94,012.05
O.A.A. U.S. Federal Grant
$37,177.80
A.D.C. U.S. Federal Grant
6,200.33
D.A. U.S. Federal Grant
1,401.28
$44,779.41
96
O.A.A. Other Cities & Towns
$1,881.69
O.A.A. State
35,485.07
A.D.C. State
4,711.70
D.A. State
2,620.96
$44,699.42
Welfare-State
$2,244.61
Welfare-Other Cities & Towns
2,288.61
$4,533.22
Total Expense for Welfare Administration:
$9,512.60
Salaries paid from Town Approp.
$5,760.00
Salaries paid from U.S. Federal Grant Adm.
3,000.00
$8,760.00
Salaries:
Board of Welfare
$900.00
Welfare Agent
3,240.00
Social Worker
2,400.00
Jr. Clerk & Typist
2,220.00
$8,760.00
Other Expense:
Travel
$214.00
Office supplies
89.84
Postage
72.68
Office Equipment
228.00
Other
147.48
Total Other Expenses
$752.60
Total Federal Grant Administration Receipts:
$3,295.96
Old Age Assistance
$2,228.68
Aid to Dependent Children
813.99
Disability Assistance
253.29
$157.07 $3,295.96 $157.07 Disability Assistance (to Accounts Receivable)
Administration Receipts-State:
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVE L. WILLIAMS, Agent STEVEN WEEKES HOWARD C. CAHOON ALTON E. WALKER Board of Public Welfare
97
Summary of Welfare Activities For Year Ending 1953
It seems that this summary for 1953 will be most easily shown if given in the form of a comparison with 1952's report together with a short discussion of the reason for the differences.
1953
1952
Total cases aided
174
194
Per month average
118
126
Expenditures:
O.A.A.
$89,940.33
$80,584.25
(118 cases) (124 cases)
A.D.C.
13,614.34
15,815.35
(15 cases)
(20 cases)
D.A.
5,724.68
5,432.96
(4 cases)
(6 cases)
G.R.
13,511.65
11,097.14
(37 cases)
(44 cases)
Receipts-Federal, State, Other Cities and Towns:
O.A.A.
$74,544.56
70,198.76
A.D.C.
10,912.03
11,582.46
D.A.
4,022.24
3,414.00
G.R.
4,533.22
4,571.26
Harwich share of expenditures:
O.A.A.
15,395.77
$10,475.49
A.D.C.
2,702.31
4,232.89
D.A.
1,702.44
2,018.96
G.R.
8,978.43
6,525.88
Medical costs:
O.A.A.
$10,933.58
4,403.73
A.D.C.
1,698.89
1,954.17
D.A.
3,896.40
1,292.81
G.R.
4,391.79
1,788.06
Total increase of medical costs 1953 over 1952
$11,481.89
1
A glance back over this comparison of case loads and costs will show that even with a decrease in the case load, O.A.A. expenditures were higher than in 1952. Medical costs accounted for the larger portion of this increase. There was
98
an increase in the number of cases hospitalized with stays of longer duration, and in several instances these cases were transferred to nursing homes or boarding homes at a rate much higher than their grant would have been if they had been able to return to their own homes. Hospital payments this year have been at the rate of $12.00 per day for welfare cases. The State Legislature has voted to allow a payment of $14.00 per day in 1954 with a further increase scheduled for 1955.
A.D.C. showed a drop in case-load with a corresponding drop in expenditures and Medical costs.
D.A. showed a drop in case load with an increase in ex- penditures. This increase was due almost wholly to one case hospitalized through-out 1953 with an unusually high inci- dence of special operative procedures. Fortunately a good rate of Federal and State participation reduced the local share. If it had not been for their participation, the cost of this case would have been entirely borne by the town.
General Relief costs increased over 1952 even with a de- crease in case load. Here again medical costs account for almost the total increase. One case was found not eligible for continued Disability Assistance and reverted to General Relief; this a case with recurring medical expenses.
The State Department in conjunction with the State Medical Association has recently given the local departments new procedures which it is hoped will give us a closer control over medical costs. So far no one has been able to formulate any procedures which will rule out the need for medical care especially as regards the chronic degenerative diseases of the aged which can be so expensive.
There seems to be an increasing trend towards the break- ing up of young families, either thru divorce or desertion of the supporting parent. We have been hoping the means would be provided for the establishment of an adequate family counselling service either on a county basis or in con- junction with an already established agency, with the goal of preventing these broken families and their dependence on A.D.C. and General Relief funds. At present this seems to be well in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCES V. NICHOLS Social Worker
99
Report of The Town Forestry Committee
This year the Forestry Committee as it has for the past two years had the assistance of Mr. Stephen Hayes, State Forester, Mr. Fish of the Pine Grove Seminary plus the help of Mr. Levy of the Audubon Society to teach the seventh grade boys reforestation and conservation by letting them plant seedlings.
The spring of 1953 the committee was unable to get these seedlings free as in previous years so the Water Dept. offered to buy them and the boys did the planting. The fall of 1953 we were given by the State 2,000 seedlings, 1,000 spruce, 1,000 red pine which were put in by the Water Dept. This means about 3,000 seedlings have been planted in two years at the Water Shed on Chatham Road.
It might be stated here for those who do not understand the purpose of this committee that until the Town owns land to start a Town Forest and appropriates a small sum with which larger seedlings could be purchased, the committee is not a functioning group in the sense of a Town Forestry Com- mittee. However the committee feels that by teaching Con- servation & Reforestation to the girls and boys who will be our future Town Officials and by making people Town Forest conscious we are laying a foundation for such a time when the Town obtains a suitable tract of land.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD T. BATES DORIS M. DOANE JOSEPH E. CRAFFEY Forestry Committee
Report of The Town Nurse
Nursing visits 1,225
Collections $667.00
Respectfully submitted,
ADELYN J. PEABODY, R.N.
100
Brooks Free Library Trustees' Report
George W. Nickerson Fund
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1952
$5,068.58 144.56
Interest for year
$5,213.14 92.62
Payments
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1953
$5,120.52
John F. Small Fund
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1952
$154.47
Interest for year
4.46
158.93
158.93
Payments
None
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1953
$158.93
The Trustees commend the efficient and competent work of our librarians, Mrs. Virginia S. Doane and Mrs. Barbara Ford. Through their efforts our library is constantly becom- ing of greater service to the public for both adults and young people.
During the early summer the vacant room on the second floor of Brooks Block building was completely renovated, with fresh paper and paint. New fluorescent lighting and a heat- ing unit were installed in this room.
The Harwich Historical Society has leased the room for their exhibit.
The income from the George W. Nickerson Fund enables us to build our non-fiction library each year.
Respectfully submitted,
MILDRED B. PAINE CHARLOTTE P. SIMS HILLARY M. LeCLAIRE Library Trustees
101
Librarian's Report
Books in Library Dec. 1952
9,620
Books Added 1953
Adult
335
Children's
93
Books Removed
Total Dec. 31, 1953
10,048
Record Albums Added
22
Magazines Purchased
29
Circulation:
Adult
10,102
Juvenile
4,556
Magazines
824
Records
314
Pamphlets
70
Total 15,866
The Brooks Library has had a most satisfactory year with circulation increases in all phases of library distribution. Particularly gratifyng has been the 1100 increase in chil- dren's books. The children's librarian, Mrs. Ford, has made bi-weekly trips to distribute books to the Elementary School and Brooks Academy. The extra reading material thus made available to the children has greatly stimulated the reading tastes of our younger patrons. In addition, the various classes from the Brooks Academy have come to the Library once every two weeks for courses with the librarian in library science and reference work. This, too, has served to make the young people more aware of the advantages offered by the town library.
During the summer months a Treasure Chest Reading Club was initiated and gave both winter and summer young- sters a chance to pass many happy hours in reading, while striving to fill the chest with "gold" coins. Even the pre- school children competed by having their mothers or elder brothers and sisters help them "read" their picture books.
Book week was celebrated in November as all the grades from the Elementary School made visits to enjoy looking at the new books and to hear the stories read by Mrs. Ford. The third, fourth, and fifth grades made book reports on the stories they heard and individual youngsters were awarded prizes for their endeavors.
102
A new pamphlet file has been started and has proved to be of great value, particularly to students of all ages seeking information not generally found in the stacks of a small library. The circulation figures do not reflect the great in- crease in the number of people who are using the library faci- lities for reference and study work. Tuesday evenings have become particularly popular as more townspeople than ever have been dropping in to look up material or browse through the excellencies of our reading table.
We are most grateful for the number of fine books which have been given by several of the library patrons. Both fic- tion and non-fiction have been included in these gift books and have helped to increase our service to the reading public.
Respectfully submitted,
VIRGINIA S. DOANE Librarian
Report of Trustees Of the Caleb Trust Fund
1953
Interest and Dividends received
January 1 to December 31 $693.62
Paid Overseers Public Welfare
January 1 to December 31
693.62
Statement of Investments
30 shares American Telephone & Telegraph
$4,680.00
50 shares National Shawmut Bank of Boston
1,812.50
10 shares General Electric
867.50
50 shares First National Bank of Boston
2,437.50
3 shares First National Bank of Boston
146.25
On deposit Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank
1,883.90
$11,827.65
During the year three additional shares of stock were re- ceived from the First National Bank of Boston as a dividend making the total of 53 shares of stock representing The First National Bank of Boston.
Respectfully submitted,
MILTON L. CAHOON, Treas.
Trustee Caleb Chase Fund
103
Report of School Building Committee
The School Building Committee responsible for building the addition to the existing Elementary School was named at the Town Meeting February 1953. The committee named Herbert E. Hoyt, superintendent of schools, a member ex of- ficio. The school committee was represented on the com- mittee at all times.
The committee interviewed representatives of the fol- lowing architectural firms :- Cram & Ferguson, Boston; Ash- ton, Huntress & Pratt, Lawrence; Adden, Parker, Clinch & Crimp, Boston; Smith & Sellew, Boston; Architects Collobor- ative, Cambridge and Beal & Sons of Boston. 1
The firm of Adden, Parker, Clinch & Crimp, 177 State Street, Boston, specialists in schoolbuilding construction were chosen. Letters of high recommendation of this firm had . been received from members of the building committees in Milton, Lexington and Whitman where the firm was building schools.
Thirteen different preliminary plans were presented by the architect. One combining the best features of two of these was selected. The architect met with all the teachers and the principal of the Elementary School to explain the plan and hear their suggestions. When the new principal Mr. Benjamin Bump, arrived, he too met with the committee and the architect. He also presented the proposed plan to the Selectmen and the entire school committee.
Mr. Lawrence Woodbury who had been clerk of the works for the construction of the original elementary school build- ing was hired to work in the same capacity for the addition.
Bids for the Excavating and Subgrading were opened on Thursday, September 3rd at which time the contract was al- lotted to Fred W. Crowell of Harwich, low bidder at $1,395.00.
Bids for the general contractor were opened October 22. There were five bidders. C. Sullivan Co., Inc., Everett; $433,031.00; Sullivan-Foster Inc., New Bedford; $432,349.00; Vera Construction Inc., Boston; $434,000.00; Wexler Construc- tions Co. Inc., Newton Highlands; $427,000.00; Grande & Sons Inc., Everett; $400,898.00. The low bid of $400,898.00 was too high for the committee to accept and still keep within the $450,000.00 allotted by the town. Therefore we consulted with the town counsel who saw no legal reason why the committee could not proceed to negotiate with the low bidder since the variance between the low and second bidder both general and sub-contractors (these filed, sealed bids were opened
104
November 2) were too high. Two things were considered in such negotiations. 1. Giving the town the best value for its money. 2. Being ethically fair to the sub-contractors. The committee proceeded to negotiate with Grande & Sons, the low bidders who were awarded the contract at $377,000.00. He was instructed to begin construction on November 12. The committee recommended that he place his performance bond with a local (Harwich) bonding agents.
The committee and the architect worked closely with the State School Building Assistance Commission in Boston, making several visits to their office, getting its approval on each step of the planning of the addition.
Construction is proceeding and the committee hopes that the addition of 10 classrooms, superintendent's office and auditorium-playroom will be ready for occupation in the fall of 1954.
BRENTON I. WIXON, Chm. ARTHUR P. DOANE, JR., Treas. ELIZABETH W. MITCHELL, Sec. ALVAH L. FALLA E. GORHAM NICKERSON
Report of School Space Needs Committee
In our report last year we stated that a study of the space needs at the High School level, should be continued.
We have done this in conjunction with Mr. William F. Clark, of Newton, Educational Consultant and it appears that serious overcrowding at the High School will occur in 1958.
There are two solutions to this problem: 1. Build a new local High School. 2 Associate with neighboring towns and build a Regional High School.
The Committee feels that educationally and economically the second solution is best and recommends it to the Town.
All of the surrounding towns are faced with the same problem and those with whom we have talked have expressed interest. Therefore we should like to see a special committee appointed, with authority to enter into preliminary agree- ments pointing toward the establishing of a Regional High School.
Respectfully submitted, CHANNING N. BAKER, Chm. BRENTON I. WIXON ARTHUR P. DOANE, JR. ELIZABETH W. MITCHELL, Sec. ALVAH L. FALLA
105
Report of Director of Civil Defense
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
Annual report of the Department of Civil Defense of the Town of Harwich, year ending December 31, 1953.
Civil Defense. has been organized by the Federal Govern- ment, for the protection of the community in time of disaster or emergency, by trained local civilians. In Harwich, One hundred Identification Cards, have been issued to the per- sonnel of your Civil Defense Department. Last spring, Police and Fire Depts participated successfully in three County alerts.
Under the direction of Asst. Director Harold Peterson, and Police Chief, Conrad Nickerson, the Auxiliary Police were schooled in Court Room procedure and traffic duties. Mem- bers have been equiped with night sticks, whistles, reflector belts and badges. A two way portable radio, riot gun and flares have been purchased for the Department.
The Fire Department under the direction of Chief Charles Hall has met once a month, for drill and instruction. In April at a meeting in Boston it was brought to my attention that the Federal Government C. D. would reimburse us $5,637.50 on the purchase of our new Fire Pumper if applied for within four days. This was done and the town has profited. On June 9, the Governor requested help in the Worcester Disaster Area and ten men responded with three pieces of apparatus. They have received a letter of com- mendation from the Worcester C. D. Dept. for their efficient services.
The Rescue Squad is still upholding its reputation under the capable training of Capt. Sheldon Thayer. Miss Adelyn Peabody is Nursing Co-ordinator and supervised the Blood- mobile in Harwich when 100 pints were donated to Korean War Veterans. Dr. Arthur D'Elia is the local Medical Co- ordinator.
Civilian War Aid has been well organized by Mrs. Olive Williams who has completed a census of rooms available in an emergency. With her staff she has attended Cape-wide drills on the handling of evacuation problems.
The observation tower at Exchange Hall has been manned part time by the members of the Portuguese Mens Club, and
106
Sea Scouts. For 1954, members of the Grange and Am. Legion Aux. have offered to assist in this work of the Ground Obser- ver Corps, spotting unidentified planes which cannot be tracked by radar.
Mr. Bert Adams, Director of Communications and his assistant Mr. William Williams with the Am. Tel. Co. have installed in Pleasant Lake and South Harwich as planned by former Director, Mr. William Morey. Sirens on Rt. 28 are blown simultaneously from the controls at the Fire Station. Next year we hope to complete our portable radio systems, set up a radio alarm room at the Fire Station and become an operating part of the efficient Civil Defense Radio Network.
As your Town Director, I have attended all State and County meetings as requested. At this time, I wish to thank the Selectmen, my Asst. Deputy, Harold Peterson, Department Directors, the Police Department, the Fire Department, Portuguese Mens Club, Sea Scouts, and interested citizens who have helped to make this department grow.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD B. COREY
Civil Defense Director
FINANCIAL REPORT-1953
Budget Appropriation
$1,200.00
Transfer from Reserve
741.71
Total Funds Available
$1,941.71
Expenditures:
Administration
$194.42
Auxiliary Police
595.87
Fire Dept. (including Worcester)
802.86
Ground Observer Corp.
11.00
Communications
334.38
Total Expenditures
$1,938.53
Returned to Revenue
3.18
$1,941.71
Civil Defense Reimbursements
Returned to General Fund
Worcester Disaster
$718.16
New Fire Truck
5,637.50
Total Returned
$6,355.66
107
Report of the Cemetery Commissioners
We herewith submit our Annual Report as Cemetery Commissioners of the Town of Harwich for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Your Commissioners have endeavored, within the limita- tions of the appropriations, to give adequate care to the sev- eral cemeteries of the town that are under our jurisdiction. Mr. John P. Roderick has continued to serve as Superintend- ent of cemeteries for your Commissioners and has done an outstanding job in caring for the cemeteries this past year.
The time is near at hand when the equipment and machinery which is owned or under the jurisdiction of your Commissioners will have to be replaced. Most of it is more than ten years old and has served its usefulness.
It is impossible, within the limitations of the appropria- tions, to do more than to keep the grass mowed and the cemeteries cleared of debris, although it is our desire to do extensive grading and reseeding of many of the cemeteries which are badly in need of this work.
The Commissioners again wish to call to your attention the grave need for additional land for cemeteries within the town. This matter has been reported in our Annual Report for several years with a request that it be referred to the Planning Board under the provisions of statute for their recommendations. The population of the town is growing so fast that there is not adequate burial ground within the town available and all of the cemeteries under the jurisdic- tion of your Commissioners are full and there is no facility in them for graves or for the sale of further lots. Many of the private cemetery associations within the town have reached their capacity or nearly so and the situation requires imme- diate attention and action.
This past year there have been many requests made of your Commissioners by citizens of the town for burial lots and we have had to inform them that there are no available lots for sale.
If the tax payers desire to have the cemeteries in a more presentable condition it will be necessary to increase the annual appropriation for this department to carry out that work.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. SMITH CARLTON E. CHANDLER JOHN R. HANDREN
108
Report of the Shellfish Warden
I am very pleased to report that our propagation program is continuing to grow and is becoming more successful each year. This year I planted quahaugs and oysters in Allen Harbor and Round Cove. The plantings in Allen Harbor will be open in the fall of 1954. Round Cove is now open for oysters on Sundays for family use only and they are of excellent quality.
We have been raising oyster seed at Round Cove for moving to other spots in Harwich waters, and have 700 bushels of scallop shells ready to spread in the Cove to catch the summer spat. These shells have already been purchased and are now at the Town Landing at Round Cove.
Wychmere Harbor has an abundance of clams and quahaugs. It is the only place in Harwich where clams may be taken, and then only on Sundays for family use. They are excellent clams. The quahaugs at Wychmere Harbor may be dug on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Harbor will continue to be open until June 1st and then will be closed for four months for all shellfishing.
The scallop crop in Pleasant Bay was exceptional this year, but the price was not very good. I am afraid there will be a poor crop next year, judging by this year's seed.
This is the first year the town has had a full time Shell- fish Constable. This has enabled me to give the town more protection to seeded areas and closer supervision of digging. Also there has been more time for extensive planting and more rigid control of predators. The Shellfish Constable's duties also include the care of all docks and floats (Wharfin- ger) and Harbor Master (except Wychmere and Allen Harbor).
I wish to thank the people who enjoy spending time at the shore shellfishing, for their co-operation this past year. It was a pleasure working with them. I want to assure them that we have another good year coming up.
If at any time you want any information or I can help you in any way, just call me on the phone and I will be more than glad to help you.
109
STATISTICS:
Planting, Propagation & Protection of Shellfish
Appropriation
$3,000.00
Salary
$1,800.00
Expenses
300.00
Stock
547.13
Printing & Equipment
117.15
Returned to Revenue
235.72
$3,000.00
Shellfish Permits Issued
Commercial
75
@ $5.00
$375.00
Non-Resident
61
@ 1.00
61.00
Resident
278
@
.50
139.00
$575.00
Received from State
$850.00
1953 Revenue to Town
Persons asked to show permits
210
Number of persons breaking regulations No permits
21
Undersize shellfish
26
Digging clams
31
Fishing on closed days
44
Fishing restricted areas
38
Court Complaints issued
4
Commercial Inspections
384
Complaints investigated
14
Assistance to out of town Shellfish Constables
1
Assistance from out of town Shellfish Constables
3
Estimated value of shellfish taken in 1953
Scallops
$46,000.00
Quahaugs
6,200.00
Oysters
12,000.00
Others
1,750.00
$65,950.00
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER W. MUNSEY Shellfish Constable
116
110
Engineers and Surveyors Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Harwch, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
ASSESSORS MAPS
This year the maps have been extended into Harwich Center and the changes plotted on the old sheets. The house numbering that was started for Harwichport has been ex -. tended to include all the houses that are within the maped area, i.e., West Harwich, Harwichport, South Harwich and part of Harwich Center.
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