USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1955 > Part 4
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In cooperation with the Barnstable County Identification Officer's, all of the school children of the Town of Harwich were classified by means of finger-printing. This classification will be kept on file by the Bureau of Identification, Washing- ton, D.C., to be used in case an emergency may arise.
The several state meetings were attended by your Direc- tor and at least one or more representatives from your town.
The purchase of Communications equipment and three auxiliary gas power plants was made taking advantage of the Federal Matching Funds which returned one-half the cost to the Town.
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Our Civil Defense Organization was alerted four times in the year 1955. Two alerts stemming from the threats of Hur- ricanes "Connie" and "Diane". Both were very severe storms, but fortunately caused only slight damage to this area. On August 20, 1955, President Eisenhower declared Massachu- setts a disaster area. Central and Western Massachusetts received the devastating effect of these storms. On August 25, 1955, Governor Herter proclaimed a state of emergency in the entire Commonwealth. Civil Defense Organizations played an important part in these emergencies.
Two practice alerts, Operation "Alert" and Operation "Mayflower" were exercised in which the public did not par- ticipate.
The "RACES" program, (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) was applied for in 1955 by the Town's Radio Officer, William Williams. The program was approved by the State. Harwich is the first town to complete the program on the Cape. In a National emergency, normal amateur radio sta- tions will not be permitted to operate. It is therefore essential the "RACES" program be in effect, which permits operation under these conditions. In 1956 we hope to increase our com- munications system to prevent "Jamming" the Police and Fire frequencies in time of emergency.
The Alarm system for the Town is transmitted to the public by means of sirens. Most sections of the Town are con- trolled by T & T relays Automatically from Fire Headquarters. The remaining alarms are controlled manually. The "ALERT" signal is given on the sirens for three to five minutes dur- ation. The "TAKE COVER" signal is three minutes duration. The "ALL CLEAR" signal will be given by the local Civil De- fense or by the "CONELRAD" radio system.
The Ground Observer Corps, under the supervision of Roger Munsey, has done a fine job again this year. The sea scouts manned the GOC tower in the Exchange building and were presented awards by the U. S. Airforce at a recent Civil Defense GOC meeting in Harwich.
I wish to thank the Selectmen, all members of the Civil Defense team in Harwich and all the Departments for their Cooperation in 1955.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. HARTIG,
Director Civil Defense
51
Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Planning Board is finding that the Land Surveyors and Engineers working on sub-divisions of land in Harwich, are now more and more contacting the Chairman of the Planning Board to review their preliminary lay-outs, and when necessary visit the location with them, so that when the time is set for hearings, completed lay-out plans can be reviewed and cleared promptly. During the year ten of these sub-division hearings were held, and all plans found satisfactory for approval. In addition 19 (nineteen) plans were reviewed which did not require hearings, but require signature by the Planning Board for filing at Registry of Deeds Office in Barnstable. Three other plans previously ap- proved, but not filed within the six (6) months required pe- riod, had to be certified for no change, and signed again. (Note: The Planning Board would like to urge that all ap- proved sub-division plans be filed promptly to eliminate any difficulty when any portion of the property is sold.)
Preliminary work has been done on four (4) other sub- divisions which are still under survey for completed plans. Short business sessions have been held after each hearing, to save time and the calling of special meetings.
The Planning Board was represented at the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards, held at Salem, November 4th and 5th, also at two hearings on Senate Bill 365, which has become the Regional Planning District Act, made effective May 19th, 1955.
The Planning Board has followed carefully the progress of this Regional Planning District Act, realizing how badly the Cape needs a master Plan for long range planning over its entire area, that we as individual towns can work and plan for, particularly as our problems are much the same in each of the fifteen towns. It was hoped this Act could have been effected in time to get the District plans under way this year, and it was on this basis that the Board's appropria- tion for this year was asked for and approved, but not being used, is returned to the Town, and for 1956 an Article in the Town Warrant is being inserted, asking for a maximum of $900.00 as our Town's proportion. It was voted at a Special Town Meeting in June to become a member of the Cape Cod Regional Planning District if and when it is formed. All Cape ยท Cod Towns have had this matter before them, either by their Planning Boards or Selectmen, and it is hoped that it will be approved at all coming Town Meeting's.
52
The Planning Board still has before them for study the problem of Town Cemeteries also a continued study of the new exit roads from the Mid-Cape Highway to Routes 24 and 137.
The Planning Board appreciates the fine co-operation we have had during the year from our Selectmen, also from the Surveyors and Builders, who are now following care- fully our Rules and Regulations. Only occasional trouble oc- curs from an out-of-town builder who hurries construction before carefully checking our Town Rules.
The following is a report of the expenditures for the year:
Appropriation, which included proposed mem-
bership in Cape Cod Regional Planning Dis- trict, which has been delayed getting under way $1,400.00
Printing legal notices of Hearings from
January 1st through December $14.75
Administration expense, Telephone, at-
tending outside meetings, etc. 27.64
Annual Dues, Massachusetts Federation
of Planning Boards 12.00
$54.39 $54.39
Unexpended balance to Revenue
$1,345.61
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. JOHNSON, Chairman ESTHER A. STIDSTONE, Clerk R. B. SNOW
E. W. DYBING ROSWELL H. NYE
Report of the Registrars of Voters
The Board of Registrars of the Town submit their report for the year of 1955.
We now have a total of 2391 Voters on our lists as follows: Women 1,319 Men 1,072
This is a decrease of 9 from the previous year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLEON S. CROWELL, Chm. HELENA T. MAGUIRE JOSEPH V. GAVIN
Registrars
53
Report of the Playground and Recreation Commission
The sixth annual report of the Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission is presented to the townspeople with a pardonable amount of pride, in a brief twelve months re- view of events.
To refresh the memories of those who already know, and by way of explanation to our newcomers-the duties of the Commission are three-fold. First, we provide the facili- ties for recreational activities for all people in Harwich. Sec- ond, we initiate one or more new activities each year, or give financial assistance where needed. Our third respons- ibility consists of overall and long range planning for the future.
On January 10, 1955, a long-range tentative plan, pre- pared by the National Recreation Association, covering the newly acquired recreation area, was presented to repre- sentatives of various town departments. Many helpful sug- gestions were offered by those present.
The Summer Program, in charge of Barbara Ford, was enlarged to included not only the playschool and athletic in- struction program, but also embraced the Theatre Workshop. The Playschool, conducted for a period of four weeks included outdoor activities as well as craftwork and creative art. As usual our Athletic Program, under Dave Bailey, enjoyed in- creasing popularity with 145 in the swimming classes; 53 in baseball; 51 in tennis and 30 in golf.
We were fortunate in securing the services of Kay Per- isho for the Theatre Workshop, who instructed the girls and boys most ably, in construction and painting of scenery, stage lighting and stage crew work.
Among the many and varied activities held in the Rec- reation Building are the Brownies and Cubs; Girl Scouts and the Sea Scout Ship, Satucket, No. 76; Square Dance Classes; Fish and Game and branch meetings of the Harwich Chamber of Commerce. We were also happy to offer temporary hous- ing to the Harwich American Legion. Rooms have served church activities, Glee Club and the planning committee of the Elbow District, Cape Cod Council Boy Scouts.
Arts and Crafts classes and the Great Books Discussion Group have met at regular intervals. Several classes ini-' tiated by the Council and carried on successfully for sev- eral years are now continued in the studios of the artists
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and craftsmen. Well attended by residents and summer vis- itors was the two-day Hooked Rug Exhibit held last July. All of the rugs shown were created by Ruth Nickerson and her apt pupils.
The Harwich Chess Club was organized several years ago by C. Edward Arzt with six members, later sponsored by the Council. Come rain, hail or snow, led by the original six, fourteen ardent players from the mid-Cape area, now meet weekly to trap the elusive king. Inter-club meets, Cape Cod Championship and Island tournaments are scheduled an- nually, with Harwich well in the lead.
The Saturday morning Hammer and Nails Club meets under the able tutelage of Walter Snow. Walter helps the boys to read model plans, instructs them in tool use, guides to completion their woodworking projects and supplies ideas for those who are lacking.
The rough grading has been completed on the area, north of Brooks Park, designated as the new Little League Field.
The Commission has provided a Ping-Pong table. Any group desiring to arrange a tournament may contact Walter Snow for the schedule.
A signal honor came to Harwich when its Recreation Centre was chosen as one of two in the country to be fea- tured in the first brochure of the Rural Research Institute, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York. Entitled, "TWO SELF-SUPPORT- ING RURAL COMMUNITY CENTERS", the booklet with wide national distribution, depicts the scope of activities spon- sored by the Commission.
Our unique community project, the successful Harwich Junior Theatre and only one of its kind in the U.S.A. caused the Rural Research Institute to turn its focal eye on Har- wich. Although the theatre, entirely self-supporting and non-profit, has no advertising budget, it has received ex- cellent press and radio notices in cities far and wide. Not only has this theatre literally put Harwich on the national map but has been instrumental in drawing the family-public to and increasing the popularity of Harwich.
FOREST A. EATON, Chairman EARLE BASSETT
RAYMOND H. GRAYSON, Legal Adviser VIRGINIA S. DOANE, Treasurer ALICE CHAMPION MORRIS, Secretary
Copies of the brochure are available free of charge at Town Meeting and at the Recreation Building.
55
Report of the Park Commission
The Park Department has noted an increased use this year of Brooks Park as a picnic and recreational area. More tables for picnicers and more benches for band concerts were added to those already in use. The tennis court was in continuous use during the summer with people waiting a good share of the time. The need for another is very acute at this time. Some thought has been given to starting an archery range adjacent to the tennis court, in the cleared area. Water has been piped in to the corner of the tennis court thus facilitating the flooding of the court in cold weather for skating. During the month of January this year and this past month of December there has been continu- ous safe skating. The Women's Club has cooperated by hav- ing temporary lights installed for night skating. They have also run a skate bank for those who did not have skates. As many as fifty have been counted skating here at one time. The Park Department plan to have a second area ready next year for the older ones.
The Department ran into difficulty in the letting of the contract for the building of the tool house due to the fact that the work could not be done for the amount appropriated and the fact that toilets were not included in the writing of the original article. The Department has therefor included an article in the warrant to take care of this and will let the con- tract immediately after the Annual Town Meeting. Water bub- blers will be installed at this tool house and at the tennis court.
Swings are planned for the area in back of the bleach- ers. Water has been extended to the vicinity of the flagpole thus giving us a wider coverage in time of drought and a larger quantity. The trees inside Brooks Park were pruned by the Mass. Tree Expert Co. during the summer. The area adjacent to the Tennis court was regraded with a bulldozer. Many youth groups and organizations have made use of Brooks Park this year.
The front area of the Schoolhouse Parking lot in Har- wichport has been cleaned, regraded, and curbing erected. The roses were pruned and some shrubs moved from Brooks Park to the border along with several hundred spring bulbs. Some of the people think the rest of the parking lot should be cleared and used. The department has inserted an article in the warrant for consideration.
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Two thousand spring bulbs have been distributed around the twelve Memorial squares. The North Harwich square will be seeded and planted this year. The Department would like to thank the other Town Departments, organizations, and townspeople for their cooperation in the past and hope to receive the same in the future.
Expenditures
Appropriation
$7,590.00
Material and Supplies
$1,229.90
Labor
4,962.42
Water
204.26
Truck and Machine Hire
761.25
Machine Repair
428.87
Electricity
7.30
Total
$7,590.00
Distribution as to Parks
Brooks
$6,306.93
Wheeler and Doane
501.22
Chase
43.35
Peters
22.10
Barret
20.75
Berry
44.10
Paine
54.20
Saley
39.65
Megathlin
11.90
S. and J. Nickerson
81.25
Pleasant Lake, East Harwich
42.00
Bassett
33.00
Earl Road
21.50
Schoolhouse Parking
367.25
$7,590.00
Respectfully submitted,
REGINALD P. KENDALL
EMULOUS E. HALL, JR.
WILLIAM C. CHASE Park Commissioners
57
Engineers and Surveyors Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
ASSESSORS' MAPS
This year the Assessors' maps have been extended into the outlying areas of the Town. Sheets have been plotted but not completed of all the area adjoining the Mid Cape Highway (Route #6), to take advantage of the title work done by the Massachusetts State Highway Department. Up to date seventy (70) sheets have been plotted out of a total of one hundred and nineteen (119) sheets that it will take to plot the entire town.
ROADS-COUNTY WAYS
Plans have been made for widening and altering three County Roads; Uncle Venies Road, South Harwich; Depot Road, South Harwich and Lower County Road in Harwich Port at Allen's Harbor for the bridge that is to be constructed across the creek.
ROADS-TOWN WAYS
During the first part of the year plans were completed and the descriptions written for the Roads that were taken at the 1955 Annual Town Meeting.
Plans have been made for the taking of four roads as Town Ways in the year of 1956. Elwood Road, Clifford Road and Sunset Road in West Harwich and Grassy Pond Road in Harwich Port.
TOWN LAND-WATER DEPARTMENT
During the first part of the year the side lines were cut and the plan was filed for the taking of the Well Field ad- joining the Chatham Road.
This year plans have been made for the taking of two (2) parcels of land for the Water Department:
1. A strip 100 feet wide leading from Route #39 southerly to the northwesterly corner of the Well Field taken last year. 2. A 34 acre parcel on Pleasant Bay Road, East Harwich for a future Well Field.
TOWN DUMP
A plan has been made for taking additional land adjoin- ing the present Dump on Lothrop Avenue.
During the past year I have assisted the various Town Committees and Department heads whenever requested.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN P. CHASE,
Registered Land Surveyor
58
Report of the Highway Surveyor
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
I do not believe it necessary to remind you of the re- quired and necessary work we have to do daily throughout the year in order to keep the streets in good condition. Most of you are familiar with this kind of work.
Considerable amount of patching and oiling was done this year. Many roads have been left unfinished due to the fact that water mains were being laid in various sections of the Town. This kind of work has caused considerable dam- age to our roads and will require a great amount of work to repair them in good condition.
I have been criticized many times regarding these con- ditions but I felt it unfair to the people to spend money in re- pairing these roads until the laying of the water mains were finished, as the cost would have been of a great amount.
Our Town has good roads considering the heavy traffic of today and I aim to keep them that way.
A new truck and snow plow was added to our department last year and these have been most useful.
I would like to take this time to thank all the Town De- partment heads for their co-operation during this year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON P. HALL, Highway Surveyor
General Repairs
Appropriation
$40,000.00
Labor
$18,202.00
Material
9,347.51
Repairs-Parts
2,001.21
Asphalt
4,559.00
Truck Hiring
928.90
Crane Hiring
88.00
Bulldozer Hiring
1,774.00
Gasoline-Oil
2,204.59
Fuel
391.19
Electric
79.18
Telephone
213.93
59
Water
24.00
Office Supplies
53.12
Boiler Insp.
20.00
Express
33.36
Signs and Lettering
69.05
Total Expense
$39,988.14
Balancce to Revenue
$11.86
Fence and Rails
Appropriation
$600.00
Labor
$164.60
Material
430.45
Total Expense
$595.05
Balance to Revenue
$4.95
Bridges
Appropriation
$2,600.00
Labor
$130.00
Material
1,637.42
Equipment
830.00
Total Expense
$2,597.42
Balance to Revenue
$2.58
Snow Removal
Appropriation
$6,000.00
Labor
$3,679.35
Material
1,011.07
Hiring of Equipment
1,225.54
Total Expense
$5,915.96
Balance to Revenue
$84.04
Sidewalk
Appropriation
$2,000.00
Labor
$1,162.85
Material
730.29
Total Expense
$1,893.14
Balance to Revenue
$106.86
Chap. 90 - Maintenance
Appropriation
$4,500.00
Labor
$2,233.05
Material
2,033.06
Equipment
231.50
Total Expense
$4,497.61
Balance to Revenue $2.39
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Trumet Road
$500.00
$167.60
331.95
$499.55
Balance to Revenue
.45
Belmont Road
Appropriation
$4,000.00
Labor
$869.70
Material
2,363.91
Hiring Equipment
421.00
Total Expense
$3,654.61
Balance to Revenue
$345.39
Pleasant Bay Road
Appropriation
$6,500.00
Labor
$1,435.85
Material
1,946.90
Equipment
2,755.75
Total Expense
$6,138.50
Balance to Revenue
$361.50
Earl Terrace
Balance from 1954
$151.20
Labor
$148.40
Total Expense
$148.40
Balance to Revenue
$2.80
Victory Drive
Balance from 1954
$194.97
Labor
$194.00
Total Expense
$194.00
Balance to Revenue
.97
Queen Ann Road
Balance from 1954
$1,570.48
Balance to Revenue
$1,570.48
Snow Plow
Appropriation
$350.00
Snow Plow Purchase
$350.00
Balance to Revenue
$00.00
Appropriation Labor Material Total Expense
61
Pickup Truck
Appropriation
Purchase of Pickup
$1,400.00 786.50
Balance to Revenue
$613.50
Dump Truck
Appropriation
$2,600.00
Purchase of Dump Truck
2,485.00
Balance to Revenue
$115.00
Appropriation
$350.00
Sign Purchase
350.00
Balance to Revenue
0.00
Report of the Plumbing Inspector
To the Board of Health
Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for 1955:
Estimated cost of Plumbing
$111,219.00
Turned in to Treasurer of the Town $274.00
Total Permits issued
274
Dwellings
235
Maid's Quarters and Laundry 1
Garages
5
Motels
3
Rooming Houses
4
Rental Units
1
Fraternal Organization
1
Duplex
1
Fruit Market
1
Bar 1
Business
2
Beauty Shop
1
Camp
1
Restaurants
6 Hotels
3
Club
1
Beach House
1
Stores
3 Parish
1
Church Meeting House 1
Office and Residence
1
Inspections by Inspector 406
Inspections by Asst. Inspector 112
There has been a slight increase in permits issued over the last two years.
Respectfully submitted,
COURTENAY N. CHASE, Plumbing Inspector
Village Signs
62
Report of the Tree Warden
The department was faced with about the same amount of activity as usual, pruning and fertilizing all the small trees along with many of the older ones.
Six large dead silver leaf trees and three dead pine trees created a traffic hazard and had to be taken down.
Forty-nine new trees were planted this year, and many of these were set out near the Elementary School on South street. There is a road layout of fifty feet near the school, and this gives the trees plenty of room and still remain on town property. Some good size Spruce were planted near the North and East Harwich cemeteries. I do hope these three projects can be continued in the Spring as there is plenty of room in each location and fairly good soil.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON,
Tree Warden
TREE WARDEN DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
$800.00
Expenditures: :
Labor hire
$316.48
Truck hire
263.50
Transportation
95.00
Misc. Supplies
55.24
Power saw
49.13
Misc. Expense
19.00
Telephone
1.65
Total
$800.00
PLANTING SHADE TREES
Appropriation
$500.00
Expenditures:
Trees (49)
$330.84
Labor hire
64.40
Truck hire and transportation
96.76
Misc. Supplies
8.00
Total
$500.00
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Report of the Moth Department
The department had a very busy year. This was due mostly to the county wide aerial spraying program carried out by the State Department of Natural Resources against the Pine Looper, in which the different towns on the Cape had to do all the ground work. This work consists of cov- ering all gold fish pools and looking after the glass plates to check the spray coverage. The results were very good.
Thirty-five traps were set and maintained as usual dur- ing July and August. No millers were caught.
The Tent Caterpillar and most all of the leaf eating insects remain about the same. Oak worms and Pine Tip worms are on the increase and these will have to be sprayed along the roadsides this coming year; providing money is appropriated for this work.
There were six dead elm trees taken down. Samples were taken and sent in to Amherst but the reports back said there were no signs of the dreaded Dutch Elm Disease.
Moth Department
Appropriation
$2,100.00
Transfer from Reserve Fund (Pine Looper)
500.00
Total
$2,600.00
Expenditures
Labor hire
$1,433.21
Truck hire
701.39
Transportation
177.00
Insecticides
196.87
Gasoline & Oil for Sprayer
49.13
Misc. Supplies for Sprayer
32.70
Telephone
9.52
Postage
.18
Total
$2,600.00
Control Dutch Elm Disease
Appropriation
$700.00
Expenditures
Labor hire
$403.90
Truck hire
138.00
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Transportation Insecticides Power saw
48.20
75.90
34.00
Total
$700.00
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. CAHOON, Moth Superintendent
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, 1955.
Number of Permits issued
179
Number of Permits cancelled
3
Number of Inspections
716
Mileage covered in 1955
5,391
Permits listed as follows:
Year round Dwellings
74
Summer Cottages
12
Garages
16
Motels
3
Commercial Buildings
2
Additions and Alterations Parish House
67
Estimated cost of New Construction
$964,225.00
Appropriation for 1955
$2,500.00
Salary and Expenses
$2,499.22
Payments
2,499.22
Returned to Revenue
.78
Paid Town of Harwich for Permits
$291.00
Layout and Drainage Inspection :
Number of Water Supply Inspections 14
Number of Sewage Disposal Inspections 124
Appropriation for 1955 $300.00
Payments
$300.00
Respectfully submitted,
WINSLOW B. SAWYER, Building Inspector
1
$2,500.00
65
Report on the Supervision of Herring
Under Article 9 of the 1955 Town Warrant it was voted that the Selectmen take over control of the herring fisheries in the Town of Harwich. A hearing was held on this the last of April, and jurisdiction was given to the Selectmen by the State.
Improvements have been made at the seining pool and further improvements are contemplated this year at the pool and at a few necessary places in the upper part of Herring River.
The herring run in cycles of three years. In 1955 there was not as heavy a run as there was in 1954, but there was still plenty of herring. We do not think that the herring rights should ever be sold, but that the run of herring should be preserved for our Town both as a conservation and tradi- tional measure.
The following is an ordinance governing the taking of herring:
A. This by-law shall be in effect only during the year in which the herring rights are not sold.
1. Herring shall be taken from the Town Pool only.
2. The taking of herring shall be restricted to residents of the town only.
3. Herring shall be taken by dipnet only, the use of all seines being excluded except under the personal direc- tion of the Shellfish Constable.
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