USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1954 > Part 5
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At the start of the year the Department attempted to work on a reduced budget of $2,000 and had it not been for several unforeseen emergencies which had to be alleviated we could have performed our duties with this reduction. However, a Transfer of $775 was granted by the Finance Committee in December which enabled us to carry on with a reduction of more than $1,200 over the 1953 budget. This year we are again hoping to operate with the same reduced budget and trust that our goal can be reached during 1955. During the year the expenses of the Department include; For Emer- gency Food orders, $1,513.50; Medical $744.67; Fuel $144.50 and OB and Hospital $8,337.86. This amount was all spent on direct benefits to the veterans and is the amount approved by the State with 50% reimbursement to the Town. Admini- stration costs include: Salary $1,700.00; Telephone $214.75; Office expense and travel for investigations $1,046.25; Misc. including Photostats $64.
We have obtained a photostatic copy of each Korean release from duty Form 214 and have obtained more than $50,000 for the qualified Korean veterans which is a good sum to be spent in Harwich during this period. We still have several of these important original Forms in our office, and although they are in a fire proof steel file we urge those who have failed to pick them up to do so as soon as possible. Our
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office is open at all hours and our phone number is Harwich 390. It is our pleasure to serve the fine veterans of Harwich and we commend them for their unselfish attitude and their intelligent understanding of the benefits which a grateful country, Commonwealth and community affords them. In conclusion we appreciate the total and friendly cooperation of the Selectmen, Welfare Department and all town officials. May 1955 be another year of prosperity, health and happiness for all veterans in 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, 1954.
In addition to these inspections, there has been numerous other calls with electricians to advise and look over work to be done, location of services and damages done by the hurri- canes. There also is considerable time spent with electricians that come to my home for advice and to talk about various work they are about to undertake.
Location
Estimate
Time
Inspections
Harwichport
$14,075
79 hrs
96
West Harwich
14,695
74
88
South Harwich
5,920
33
35
Harwich
5,325
27
34
East Harwich
2,175
16
16
North Harwich
1,800
9
8
Pleasant Lake
400
2
2
Totals
$44,390
240 hrs
279
Respectfully submitted,
BRADFORD L. BARRETT Inspector of Wires
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Report of the Highway Surveyor
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1954.
This year has been an unusual and interesting one for my Department. Besides the regular and usual kinds of work we have to do, we were visited by the hurricanes Carol and Edna which caused considerable damage to our roads and bridges. I believe now that most of these roads are in good condition.
The Grader purchased by the Town this year has been a great help to my Department and the machinery is now fairly adequate. I am asking this year that the Town trade one of its trucks, which is five years old, for a new one. I believe this would be a savings to the Town since repairs would be needed on the old one.
Route 28, West Harwich was closed to traffic, while the Herring River Bridge was being constructed. The traffic was detoured over Riverside Drive and Chase Street. As these roads were not adequate to take care of heavy traffic there was considerable damage done. The State allowed seventy five hundred dollars($7,500.00) under Chapter 90 Contract #15365, Highway Maintenance to be used to reconstruct these roads. A special Town Meeting was called and the transfer approved.
I would like to thank all Town Departments for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON P. HALL Highway Surveyor
General Repairs
Appropriation
$35,000.00
Refunded for Hurricane Work
1,037.70
Total $36,037.70
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Labor
$16,267.78
Gas & Oil
1,757.70
Seal Coating Material
5,270.23
Telephone
196.80
Fuel
455.26
Water
24.00
Cape & Vineyard
71.14
Hiring of Trucks
972.75
Office Supplies
220.34
Grader
136.00
Bulldozer
976.50
Equipment & Repairs
3,313.57
Materials
5,112.67
Signs
729.46
$35,504.20
Balance
$533.50
Snow Removal
Appropriation
$6,000.00
Labor
$2,688.45
Trucks
2,055.75
Material
1,246.79
$5,990.99
Balance
$9.01
Bridges
$600.00
Appropriation Material
15.16
Balance
$584.84
Fences and Railing
$600.00
Appropriation Labor
$292.80
Material
305.32
$598.12
Balance
$1.88
Sidewalks
$3,000.00
Appropriation Labor $832.35
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Equipment Materials
144.00
1,085.87
$2,062.22
Balance
$937.78
Queen Anne Road
Appropriation
$4,000.00
Labor
$225.90
Equipment
523.00
Material
1,680.62
$2,429.52
Balance
$1,570.48
Earl Terrace
Appropriation
$800.00
Labor
$265.85
Equipment
104.00
Material
278.95
$648.80
Balance
$151.20
Victory Drive
Appropriation
$500.00
Labor
$127.05
Material
177.98
$305.03
Balance
$194.97
Chapter 90-Maintenance
Apropriation
$4,500.00
Labor
$1,793.85
Truck and Rollers
148.50
Material
489.19
Asphalt
835.14
$3,266.68
Balance
$1,233.32
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Chapter 90-Highway Maintenance-Contract No. 15365
Appropriation
$7,500.00
Labor
$1,858.80
Rollers
60.00
Trucks
280.50
Materials
165.25
Bulldozers
288.00
Asphalt
3,561.43
Graders
432.00
Crane
640.00
$7,285.98
Balance
$214.02
Report of the Plumbing Inspector
To the Board of Health
Town of Harwich, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for 1954:
Estimated cost of Plumbing
Turned in to Treasurer of the Town
Total Permits issued
Dwellings
229
Sunday School
1
Stores
3
Tourist Cabin
1
Restaurants
5
Storage
1
Apartments
4
Offices
2
Barber Shop
1
Duplex
1
Schools
2
Beauty Shop
1
Studio
1
Work Shop
1
Motels
3 Inn 1
Rooming House 1
Inspections by Inspector
417
Inspections by Asst. Inspector
101
There has been a slight decrease in permits issued due to less new construction.
Respectfully submitted,
COURTENAY N. CHASE Plumbing Inspector
$153,290.00 $258.00 258
76
Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Planning Board during this year have had hearings and approved fourteen (14) new sub-division plans. The Board has also reviewed ten sub-division plans which did not require approval, but was so indicated on plans to comply with the new Legislation effected October, 1953. At all sub- division hearings, which are usually very brief, we also arranged to transact other business of the Board, and this has been found very beneficial. This year the Board is spon- soring revisions in the Protective By-Law, some of which has been brought about by new legal interpretation, and by the request of the Harwich Chamber of Commerce. There was also a request from the Board of Appeals to arrange for alter- nate members, to be assured that all seven Post Office dis- tricts shall be represented at all hearings.
At the request of the Cemetery Commissioners, the Board has also been reviewing the question of additional land for cemetery purposes owned by the Town, but due to the numer- ous privately owned cemeteries this matter will have to be gone into very carefully and in the meantime it is hoped that some of these private cemeteries might be given over to the Town.
The Board has been asked by the Board of Selectmen to work out some regulations for the use of signs in the resi- dential and agricultural areas described in our Protective By- Law. It has been found that this whole subject is active all over the Cape and requires considerable more study, and it is hoped that a Special Meeting can be called in the early Spring to be given over for a full discussion of this very important matter.
The Board was represented at a hearing in the State House in Boston, on November 8, to discuss primarily the establishment of a State Appeal Board for all sub-division control as well as zoning and building code appeals, at which we registered our opposition to such a Board, as such matters were too important at the local level.
77
During the year we have continued to work in co-opera- tion with the various Town Departments, and also appreciate the splendid support which we are having from our citizens who have been most helpful to us in our problems with a rapidly growing Town. The following is a report of the ex- penditures for the year:
Appropriation
$200.00
Advertising Hearings, sub-divisions and By-Laws $64.70
Printing and supplies 66.73
Miscellaneous expense, Telephone,
travel and State Association dues 33.12 164.55
Unexpended balance to revenue $35.50
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 Propagation of Fish and Game
Appropriation $100.00
Grain and birdseed $100.00
One hundred pheasants were reared and fed with grain bought for this purpose, then released in different parts of the Town. Many people called for bird seed for quail and pheasants at different times during the year.
Respectfully submitted, REGINALD KENDALL RALPH DOANE CHARLES H. TAYLOR (deceased)
78
Report of the Playground and Recreation Commission
Five years ago on February 6, 1950, the townspeople passed an article in the Town Meeting establishing a Recreation Commission under Chapter 256, the Acts of 1949. Specifically, the Commission was empowered to manage the building and grounds of what has become known as the Recreation Build- ing, and to encourage recreational activities in the town of Harwich. We feel, at this time, that it would be interesting to review the recreational events of these past five years.
After the five members of the Commission had been ap- pointed, an Advisory Council of interested townspeople was formed to sponsor activities. These activities have grown in number and scope over the years to include such well known programs as classes in arts and crafts, Little League Baseball, adult volley ball, baton classes, square dancing, art exhibits, and the unique Junior Theatre.
The Commission has sponsored a play school during several summers, which included this past year, the first Junior Museum Work Shop on Cape Cod. The last three summers have also seen a satisfactory increase in participa- tion in sports instruction courses under Mr. Bailey.
The Recreation Building has become a focal point for a variety of gatherings such as Scouts, sport groups, the Histori- cal Society, and the Glee Club-to name just a few. Rooms have also served as a Sunday School and gathering place for church activities while renovations were made to the Parish House.
So integral a part of the community have these activities in the Recreation Building become, that it is hard to realize that five years ago there was so little organized recreation in Harwich.
The Commission with the help of the National Recreation Association has been working on plans for the development of the new Recreation Area. Tentative plans will be on
79
exhibit at the Recreation Building before the final plan is drafted.
Many thanks are due to the Selectmen and the members of other town departments who have been so helpful to us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EARLE F. BASSETT, Chm. RAYMOND H. GRAYSON PRISCILLA D. BALDWIN FORREST A. EATON VIRGINIA S. DOANE Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission
Report of the Trustees of the Caleb Chase Fund
Interest and Dividends received
January 1, 1954 to December 31, 1954 $615.20
Paid Overseers Public Welfare
January 1, 1954 to December 31, 1954 Statement of Investments
615.20
30 shares General Electric
$567.60
50 shares National Shawmut Bank of Boston
1,312.50
53 shares First National Bank of Boston
1,703.75
30 shares American Telephone & Telegraph Company
4,668.01
The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank a/c #16601
1,883.90
$10,135.76
Respectfully submitted,
MILTON L. CAHOON, Treas.
80
Report of the Park Commission
The Park Department wish to report progress for the year and thank the various other Town departments and public for their cooperation. The picnic area in Brooks Park received increased use again this year. A large fireplace was added along with more tables and refuse cans. More shrubs and trees were planted in the park and picnic area. One spraying for mosquito control was tried and found helpful. The water main into Brooks Park was enlarged and it is hoped that it will be continued to the vicinity of the flagpole this year. It is hoped that later it may be continued to the tennis court area and the picnic area. Benches were made for the Band concerts and more will be added this year. A new heavy mower was added to our equipment this year and has been a welcome addition. The need of a tool house in Brooks Park is again mentioned as very necessary. A new net for the tennis court and new flags for Brooks and Wheeler and Doane Square will be purchased this year.
The Harwich Garden Club purchased shrubs and roses for Wheeler and Doane Square. The Park Department will add more flowers and bulbs this year.
Two memorial squares at East Harwich were improved by removing the overgrown trees and replacing them with dwarf ones and reseeding with new grass. Another square on Sisson Road received like treatment. Improvement of the other squares are planned in this manner.
Improvement of the Harwichport Schoolhouse parking lot, which we now find under our jurisdiction, will be carried out by pruning the roses and adding flowers and shrubs along the sides of the lot for part of the distance from Main Street.
The baseball diamond was used continuously by the vari- ous teams this year. Due to its hard use improvement will continue to be slow here.
The Park Commissioners are cooperating with the Rec- reation Commission in the planning of the development of Brooks Park along with the new area adjoining.
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EXPENDITURES
Appropriation
Transfer from Reserve Fund
$6,480.00 461.35
$6,941.35
Material
$2,300.49
Labor
3,740.86
Water
53.72
Truck Hire
416.32
Machine Repair
156.77
Electricity
7.94
Machine Hire
265.25
$6,941.35
EXPENDITURES AS TO PARKS
Brooks Park
Labor
$3,155.71
Material
2,065.69
Truck Hire
310.72
Machine Repair
110.02
Machine Hire
250.25
Water
37.22
Electricity
7.94
$5,937.55
Wheeler & Doane Square
labor, material, etc.
$405.12
Chase
74.45
Peters
"
"
58.10
Barret
84.90
Berry
15.00
Paine
26.65
Saley
"
55.30
Megathlin
8.50
S. and J. Nickerson
235.65
Pleasant Lake & Long Pond
"
28.45
$1,003.80
Respectfully submitted, REGINALD P. KENDALL WILLIAM C. CHASE EMULOUS E. HALL, JR.
Park Commissioners
"
"
"
"
82
Report of the Moth Department
I am pleased to report a slight decrease in all the usual tree pests. The pine trees in most all the towns on the Cape are now threatened with a new and serious pest, called the Pine Looper. This worm sometimes called the span, or inch- worm started in Mashpee a few years ago, but because of the two hurricanes, it is now all over the Cape.
Aerial spraying of the entire county is the only solution at the present time. Many of the pine trees in East Harwich have been seriously damaged, and may die.
Once again thirty-five gypsy moth traps, furnished by the U.S.D.A. were set out in different parts of the town. The results were the best since the entire county spraying program in 1949. One miller was caught as compared to a total of twenty-two last year.
The Dutch Elm Disease has at last made its appearance in this town. Two large elm trees on Bank Street, killed by this disease, had to be removed and burned.
There were no funds available for pruning out dead limbs from elm trees this year. Dead elm wood is the breeding place for the elm bark beetle, carrier of this dreaded disease. We can now hope for the best. The next town to the West of ours lost eleven trees this year.
Moth Department
Appropriation
$2,000.00
Expenditures
Labor hire
$1,081.27
Truck hire
312.00
Transportation
167.33
Repairs on sprayer
269.60
Insecticides
79.51
Parts for sprayer
38.27
Gasoline & oil for sprayer
33.06
Telephone calls
10.46
Miscellaneous supplies
8.50
Total
$2,000.00
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Dutch Elm Disease
Appropriation
$600.00
Expenditures
Labor hire
$317.26
Truck hire
158.25
Power saw
32.00
Insecticides
80.00
Transportation
9.00
Telephone calls
2.86
Postage
.63
Total
$600.00
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON Moth Superintendent
Report of the Board of Appeals
In the year 1954 the Board of Appeals was given a wide variety of cases to consider.
There was in most instances-no possible harm to the neighborhood but, under the current zoning laws, approval by the Appeals Board was necessary before the projects could be legally undertaken. There were a few non-conforming usage appeals which required very careful study.
The Board of Appeals has endeavored to have each decision made only after a very complete analysis of each situation.
We wish to extend our thanks to the Selectmen, the Town Counsel, the Building Inspector, the Chairman of the Plan- ning Board and many other workers in the Town of Harwich for their cooperation.
FRANCIS M. ORCHARD, Chm.
The Harwich Board of Appeals
84
Report of the Town Forestry Department
Due to the record breaking Spring rains, and the great amount of damage caused by two hurricanes, this department had a very busy year.
Tree diseases were rather severe in most parts of the town. Suffering the most were sycamore, (from blight) and white oak, elm, and maple, (from fungus).
Just as these trees were getting back to normal, the heavy winds and salt spray caused by the hurricanes, stripped most of the trees of all their foliage. It is impossible to tell now the amount of injury our shade trees have received.
Twenty-six dead trees were removed from public ways, and of this number there were fifteen pine, five poplar, two oak, one willow, two spruce, and one linden. Under the tree planting article, a total of thirty Schwedler maples, four weeping willows, and five large flowering dogwood trees were set out in different parts of the town. The dogwood trees set out near the Elementary School did not live and these will be replaced free of charge by the nursery.
All the young trees set out by the Town during the past several years were fertilized and cared for during the year.
I want to thank Radio Station W.O.C.B. in West Yar- mouth for their fine and prompt services rendered during the hurricane on August 31, and September 11. This service was most appreciative by my department when all other means of communication had been disrupted by the strong winds.
In closing, may I say thanks to everyone for their co- operation during the past year.
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
$800.00
Expenditures:
Labor hire
$242.67
Truck hire
291.75
Transportation
49.50
Power saw
127.31
Fertilizer
26.00
Misc. supplies
31.96
Misc. expense
22.50
Telephone
8.31
Total
$800.00
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PLANTING SHADE TREES
Appropriation
$500.00
Expenditures:
Trees (39)
$352.50
Labor hire
64.40
Truck hire
60.00
Supplies, fertilizer, etc.
23.10
Total
$500.00
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON
Tree Warden
Jury List
Arzt, Edward C .- Businessman Baker, Channing W .- Farmer
Barker, Wilmar I .- Housewife
Cahoon, Walter E .- Caretaker Chandler, Carlton E .- Caretaker
Church, Hazel A .- Housewife
Clemons, Alice F .- Housewife
Crowell, Cleon S .- Retired Doble, Charles F .- Retired
Dreher, Raymond C .- Retired Maguire, Helena T .- Housewife Marcellino, Lucy-Housewife McLean, Frank W .- Retired Munro, Lillian-Housewife Nickerson, Hugh C .- Caretaker Phipps, Irvin R .- Retired Raneo, John S .- Carpenter Rockey, Susan M .- Housewife Roderick, Edmund D .- Caretaker Symmes, Emma B .- Housewife Thayer, Grace F .- Housewife Thompson, Biddle R. Jr .- Farmer Tobey, Eleanor D .- Housewife Vachon, Dorothy S .- Housewife Welt, Barbara M .- Housewife
Harwich Port
South Harwich South Harwich Harwich Port North Harwich
South Harwich Harwich Port Harwich Port Harwich Port Harwich Port
Harwich Harwich Harwich Harwich Port East Harwich Pleasant Lake Harwich Harwich Port Harwich Harwich Port South Harwich Pleasant Lake Harwich Harwich Port South Harwich
86
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, 1954.
Number of Permits issued 179
Number of Inspections 710
Mileage covered in 1954 5,478
Permits listed as follows:
Year round Dwellings 64
Summer Cottages 17
Garages 15
Commercial Buildings 11
Alterations and Additions 72
Estimated cost of New Construction-$743,800.00
Appropriation for 1954 $2,500.00
Salary and Expenses $2,500.00
Payments 2,500.00
Paid Town of Harwich for Permits $273.00
Note-The figure of $743,800 of Estimated cost includes all Permits issued up to and including December 31, 1954. Many of these buildings are still under construction as of January 1, 1955 and cannot be included in the 1955 Tax Assessments as completed.
Layout and Drainage Inspection Number of Developments inspected for Water Supply and Drainage 8
Number of Sewage Disposal Inspections 93 Appropriation for 1954 $300.00 Received from Town of Harwich $300.00
Respectfully submitted,
WINSLOW B. SAWYER Building Inspector
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Fourth of July Celebration 1954
Appropriation
$1,00.00
Fire Works Display
$750.00
Orchestra for Block Dance
40.00
Labor
68.40
Lumber for display
16.49
Rope
21.60
Signs
48.50
Decorations
3.83
$948.82
Balance
51.18
$1,000.00
Balance transferred to May 30 and November 11 programs.
Staging loaned by the Harwich Lumber Company, Inc.
Truck for Block Dance loaned by M. Sieberman, Jr.
Signs painted by Milton Welt.
Much time and labor given free by all members.
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
The fine ball game in the afternoon was handled com- pletely by James Baldwin, and Harwich beat Chatham; the Harwich Fire and Police Associations sponsored the Lobster Bake.
88
Engineers and Surveyors Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
ASSESSORS' MAPS
Last year it was proposed in the Engineers Report to ex- tend the Assessors' Maps into the out lying sections of the Town. A start was made in this direction by plotting all the sheets that adjoin Pleasant Lake Avenue from Harwich Cen- ter to the Brewster line. These new sheets and plotting the new subdivisions on the old sheets was all that was done on the Assessors' Maps in 1954.
ROADS
The engineering work for the past year has been almost wholly devoted to widening old Town Roads. Articles for widening the following roads will be in the warrant for this
Town Meeting.
Belmont Road, West Harwich
Willow Street, West Harwich
Kelley Road, West Harwich
Lothrop Avenue, West Harwich
Cemetery Road, East Harwich
Deep Hole Road, South Harwich
South Chatham Road, South Harwich
Hersey Road, South Harwich
Julien Road (including Old Wharf Road), South Harwich
There will also be articles for accepting as Town Ways the following Roads:
Robbins Road, Harwichport
Colonial Way, Harwichport
Pleasant Park Road, Harwich (Center)
Victory Drive Extension, West Harwich
Trumet Road, West Harwich
SURVEYS
A plan has been made for purchasing additional property for the Fire Station and also a plan for taking a Well Field
89
on the north side of the Old Chatham Rail Road near the present Pumping Station.
During the year I have assisted the various Town Com- mittees and Department heads whenever requested.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN P. CHASE Registered Land Surveyor
Report of the Board of Health
At present the Town has no tuberculosis patients at the Barnstable County Sanitorium. During the entire year we had only one.
Financial aid was allowed only in deserving instances including one premature birth.
Free Bed Assistance was given in six cases.
1954 Licenses:
Rubbish
4
Cleaning Cesspools
4
Common Victualler
25
Lodging House 69
Cabins
7
Miscellaneous
3
Motel
3
Inn Holders
14
1954 Legislation:
The cause of death is to be printed or typed on all death certificates.
Persons selling oleomargarine shall first register with and pay fifty cents to the Town Milk Inspector.
The following ruling has been made in regard to Lodging Houses which serve breakfast to a few guests and in no sense assume the aspect of a public eating house: A Common Vic- tualler's license is not required for such service, and none will be issued in a residential zone where such is taking place.
We wish to thank all those who assisted in the free Chest X-rays, especially Mrs. J. Burleigh Atkins who directed this successful program.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN WEEKES ALTON E. WALKER
Board of Health
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