USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1956 > Part 6
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Pocasset Sanatorium
16
Other Hospitals 9
143
(7) Total acres of woodland burned:
2.7 acres
(8) Total acres of grassland burned:
1.5 acres
(9) Deaths attributed to fire: One
(10) Total number of Gas and Oil inspections: 394
(11) Total number of Gas and Oil permits issued:
227
(12) Total number of open air fire permits:
819
Contents
$160,380.00
(14)
Estimated damage to property involved:
Buildings $52,625.00
Contents
11,461.00
$65,086.00
(13) Estimated value of property involved: Buildings $134,550.00 25,830.00
(5) Home, Work and Play accidents
82
(15) Insurance paid on property involved: Buildings Contents
$35,896.54 4,056.00
$39,952.54
(16) Fire Department Budget and Expenditures:
Appropriation and Transfer
$27,004.27
Fire Chief's salary
$4,300.00
Permanent Firemen's salaries
10,800.00
Call Firemen's salaries
4,573.50
Vehicle Maintenance
2,338.30
Radio Maintenance
252.26
Equipment
2,002.22
Supplies
690.31
Telephone
417.90
Electricity
366.96
Heating Oil
698.21
Town Water
29.06
Natural Gas
97.04
Repairs to Dept. Building
435.72
Total
27,001.48
Returned to 1956 Revenue
$2.79
(17)
Auxiliary Generator Account: Appropriation
$1,600.00
Expended
1,597.24
Returned to revenue
$2.73
(18)
Fire Hose Account:
Appropriation
$900.00
Expended
900.00
Returned to revenue
(19)
Grading and Hardening Driveway:
Appropriation
$2,000.00
Expended
1,115.08
Returned to revenue
$884.92
To all who realize full well that the new year is going to bring more, rather than fewer problems of your fire de- partment. We appreciate the fact that fire department ad- ministration and operation are going to take more, rather than less of the tax dollar if your municipality is to be adequately safeguarded from fire. It is also realized that the fire department will become the target for not only financial but political snipers, as the days pass and the needs of your fire force continue to grow.
In the light of these simple facts, I would like to offer these observations.
83
The business of suppressing fire is daily becoming more complex, more complicated and more costly. Neither yes- terday's methods or yesterday's material can be expected to fortify the fire service. Nor will yesterday's working condi- tions, hours of service, training and other fundamentals of firemanship suffice to meet the challenge of greater losses of property imposed by today's and tomorrow's accelerated demands.
I would also like to remind you that calls being made upon the fire department for other than fire protection and prevention are increasing, rather than decreasing. The pro- gressive municipality cannot ignore all these demands if it wishes to retain good will of its citizens, regardless of the hardship this situation imposes on the fire service.
Whatever the situation the call firefighters who give their own time for their training and whose recompense for their endeavors are their inner sense of satisfaction when they have saved a neighbor's property from the flames. They have no regular hours, they answer calls when there is a need. They display not only efficiency in their operations, but also efficiency of their equipment. All firefighters are interested in the "morale" of their department and most citizens want their firefighters to be a happy contented force. The town has reason to salute its firefighters, a band of pub- lic spirited men who keep themselves well prepared to meet emergencies.
I wish to thank all men and dispatchers of the depart- ment for their cooperation and donation of time during the past year: to the members and Chiefs of other towns and to the citizens of Harwich for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. HALL, Chief of Department
84
Report of Committee on Town Manager Form of Government
The Committee appointed by the Town Moderator in ac- cordance with the vote of the 1955 Town Meeting to study the advantages and disadvantages of the Town Manager plan of government as compared with the present Board of Three Selectmen plan now in effect in the Town of Har- wich submits the following report:
During two years the Committee has studied many re- ports of the operation of the Town Manager plan of govern- ment which has been in effect in various towns and cities of most of the States, many of them towns of size comparable to Harwich. We noted that there is some variation in the extent of authority given to the Town Manager by the differ- ent towns so that in some areas he is not much more than a "general superintendent" who does the "leg work" for the Selectmen, while in other areas he is given considerable authority and is held responsible by an unpaid Board of Se- lectmen for effectively managing the Town's affairs in ac- cordance with the votes of the Town Meeting.
In many cases the voters have adopted the Town Man- ager form of government as an effective means of correcting either the incompetence, dishonesty, or unfairness of the previous form of government, or to get the town out of debt after wasteful management. In other cases, it has been adopted when a majority of the voters have found no other way to dislodge and get rid of entrenched political control with which they have become thoroughly disgusted.
However, we have concluded that the Board of Select- men plan of management has for several generations met the needs of the majority of Towns to the satisfaction of the voters; and, since there is no serious condition in the affairs of our Town to arouse the voters, we recommend that they defer for the present any change in our plan of government and give their attention to ways by which to improve the quality of our town officers and the correction of present deficiencies.
85
To this end, we offer for consideration by the voters the following recommendations:
1. That the annual pay of the three selectmen be in- creased from the present $3,000 to $4,500, in consider- ation of which they will agree not to derive any other income (directly or indirectly) from the Town.
2. That the authority of the Board of Selectmen be in- creased by giving them coordinating authority over heads of the Highway, Water, Fire, and Police Depart- ments, as well as over all appointed officers, and that the voters require the Board of Selectmen to bring to the attention of the voters with full information at least three weeks before any regular or special Town Meeting all matters of importance affecting the ad- ministration of these Town departments and the wel- fare of the Town.
3. That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to employ competent engineering talent to investigate and/or plan and/or supervise any project coming under their jurisdiction or that of the Highway, Water, Police, or Fire Departments when, in their judgment such out- side assistance is necessary; and in all such cases it shall be the obligation of the Board of Selectmen to make certain that there is proper cooperation between such special assistance and the head of the Depart- ments concerned.
4. Because of the human frailties and the political con- siderations involved in the administration of the Town affairs and because of the impossibility that all voters shall keep themselves fully and fairly acquainted with all details, we recommend that the Voters appoint a standing Committee of seven property-tax payers, one from each of the seven villages in Harwich, to be chosen by the voters at the 1957 Town Meeting, whose duty and authority it shall be to maintain a continuing study of ways by which the management and perform- ance of the Town government can be improved, and to make a report to the Town Meeting each year con- taining its comments and recommendations.
Respectfully submitted,
DWIGHT W. SLEEPER, Chm. FLORA HALL MEARS JOHN LEO MORRIS WATSON J. SMALL H. MORRISON MITCHELL
86
Fourth of July Celebration
1956
Amount of Appropriation
Fireworks display
$750.00
Labor
20.00
Lumber for display
3.75
Edwin Snow Orchestra (Block dance)
40.00
Quincy Newcomb (Square dance caller)
25.00
Signs (Labor)
45.00
Material for signs (Orleans decorating)
30.56
Chatham Jewelers (Awards for fishing contest)
25.56
Donald T. Bates (for supplies)
3.95
$943.82
Adjustment from fireworks display
$100.00
Total expenditures
$843.82
$843.82
Balance
$156.18
Contributions:
Staging loaned by Harwich Lumber Co., Inc.
Truck loaned for block dance by Robert Joy.
Electricity for block dance donated by Mr. Frederick Boscheinen of Harwich Port.
Another celebration can go on record as being attended by a record crowd, where an estimated 12,000 or more persons enjoyed the many festivities of the day. An exciting ball game was played by Harwich team vs. a team from the No. Truro Air Force Base. The usual delicious lobster bake, prepared by Roger Munsey as bakemaster, and his committee was served to about 350 persons. The bake was sponsored by the Harwich Police and Fire Associations, respectively, held at Brooks Park on an ideal afternoon.
$1,000.00
87
·
Following the Lobster bake the band concert was held with the Chatham Band playing many popular, marching and classical selections. At the close of the concert the fire- works were started and the display witnessed, you may agree, was good, but did not compare with those of previous years. That, the committee also agreed and immediately reviewed the contract finding that it was not completely fulfilled. A meeting was arranged between the Selectmen, a representative of the fireworks concern and the committee. It was found that through an error the town did not receive full display of fireworks and a satisfactory adjustment was agreed upon to the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) with the apologies of the Interstate Fireworks Co., Inc.
This past year one of the finest block dances ever held in connection with the Fourth celebration was held at the Old Schoolhouse parking lot in Harwich Port where a record number of the younger set enjoyed both square and round dancing.
Again, it was a very enjoyable Fourth for all and much credit should be given to the Police and Fire Depts. for their alertness to prevent accidents before they happen. Also we desire to extend our thanks to those who contributed much time and labor without compensation to make the celebra- tion so successful.
Respectfully submitted,
FORREST A. EATON, Chairman CONRAD C. NICKERSON, Police Chief CHARLES A. HALL, Fire Chief ROGER MUNSEY J. BRYCE DUNBAR LELAND J. McKENNEY
County Health Dept. Report
Board of Health Town of Harwich Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Following the unusually large outbreak of poliomyelitis, which we experienced in this County during the year 1955,. it was not surprising that when poliomyelitis vaccine became available for our children last winter, many parents were anxious to have their children vaccinated.
-
88
The doctors of the County at a meeting of the Barn- stable County District Medical Society, passed a resolution offering their services to give the vaccine in clinics, if the health authorities would purchase the vaccine.
All vaccine used was purchased by the use of funds ap- propriated by the Federal and State Governments, as well as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
Miss Adelyn Peabody, the town nurse was responsible for organizing the clinics in the town and publicizing the program. She carried out this assignment in a most efficient manner.
The physicians of the town furnished the medical service for the clinic and assistance was also given by volunteer nurses and others.
During the year, a total of 892 persons or 26.5% of the total population received the poliomyelitis vaccine.
We were very grateful when the Committee appointed by the Board of Health for the purpose of studying the mat- ter of water fluoridation presented unanimously, a favorable report which was adopted by the town meeting. We hope the citizens of Harwich will avail themselves of this preventive measure by casting a favorable vote in the forth coming referendum.
Other members of the County Health Department whose services have been made available to the town are as follows:
Mary Susich, M.A., M.P.H., Public Health Nurse
Anne P. Halliday, M.S.S., Psychiatric Social Worker
Alice Dalzell, Dental Hygienist
Lucy E. Haeselich, R.N.
George F. Crocker, Jr., Sanitary Inspector
Ernest C. Eldredge, Sanitary Inspector
Respectfully submitted,
F. L. MOORE, M.D., County Health Officer Agent Board of Health
89
Report of the Board of Health
At present the town has one tuberculosis patient at the Barnstable County Hospital. Financial assistance was given this patient during the year of 1956.
During the year of 1956 there were six premature births reported to the Town of Harwich and no financial assistance was given in any of these cases.
A tool shed and shelter was erected at the Town Dump and James L. Smith was appointed custodian. We feel that the dump is in a much better condition than it has been for a number of years.
The following licenses and permits were issued for the year of 1956:
Lodging House 66
Cleaning Cesspools
3
Massage & Physiotheraphy
3
Rubbish & Garbage Collection 6
Inn Holders
10
Cabins
5
Common Victuallers
22
Permission to Mfg. Frozen Desserts
1
Motels
9
1 Bowling Alley (11 alleys)
Bakeries 3
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN WEEKES ALTON E. WALKER EMULOUS E. HALL
Harwich Board of Health
90
Brooks Free Library Trustees' Report
Brooks Free Library is fortunate in having as Librarian, Mrs. Virginia S. Doane; and, as Assistant Librarian, Mrs. Barbara B. Ford, both college graduates, and, through their leadership, the facilities of the Library are expanding.
The Trustees are members of the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association.
The correspondence course on Library Trusteeship taken by one of the members through the University of Chicago has proved helpful to Trustees and Librarians.
Brooks Block has been repaired and painted this year. The cupola was removed; a sink installed on the second floor; and a new cesspool built.
The Harwich Historical Society vacated the West Room on November 1st. During the past five years, through a long .- range program, the Trustees have had the West Room, on the second floor of the building, painted and papered, and fluorescent lighting, as well as a Univent Heating Unit, installed.
We find ourselves very crowded in the three rooms, we now use, and we are ready to use this West Room for a children's and young people's library. We are requesting an appropriation of money in an article in the 1957 Town War- rant to furnish this room.
We have been able to completely redecorate the North Room, used previously for the Rogers Groups, but which now will be used as a quiet reading-reference room. The small room, which has been called our Record Room, also has been painted.
Through the Community Service Committee of the Har- wich Woman's Club, with Mrs. William C. Welch as Chair- man, the Rogers Groups are being restored and repainted. This collection of Rogers Groups is one of the finest in ex- istence and everyone is most grateful to both Mr. and Mrs. Welch, as well as to the many women who are contributing their time and talent to this service to the community, and particularly to Brooks Free Library.
91
Through another article in the Town Warrant, we are requesting an appropriation to prepare the South Room for the Rogers Groups with necessary carpentry, painting, light- ing, and furnishings.
With all of this accomplished, the Trustees feel that our rooms will be much more attractive and far more efficient for the growing needs of our Library and its service to the townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
MILDRED B. PAINE CHARLOTTE P. SIMS HILLARY M. LeCLAIRE
Trustees
GEORGE F. NICKERSON FUND
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1955
$5,211.73
Interest for one year
155.89
$5,367.62
Payments
184.22
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1956
$5,183.40
JOHN F. SMALL FUND
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1955
$168.66
Interest for one year
5.09
Payments
None
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1956
$173.75
Librarian's Report
Our Library has enjoyed an unprecedented year of activ- ity with more books, magazines and pamphlets circulated than ever before. However, the figures below do not show the great number of adults and young people who use the library for reference and research work. On one particularly busy evening, 51 people were in the library at the same time.
It has been our aim to improve steadily our reference section by adding major works every year. By subscribing to the Abridged Readers' Guide and keeping issues of the leading magazines for several years, we have been able to · increase greatly the usefulness of our periodicals.
$173.75
$173.75
92
Close cooperation with the schools has been fostered by the loan of books to the Elementary School and classes for the sixth and seventh grades weekly at the library. Book Week was observed this year by an exhibit of new books and a program presented by the librarian at Brooks Academy and at the Elementary School. The showing of the film "Assignment-Children" with Danny Kaye was most popular with the young folks.
Many thanks are due to the kind friends who have donated such lovely books, and delightful records, and a special bow to the Police Department for acting as assistant librarians at the end of the summer months.
Books in Library Dec. 1955
10,820
Books Added 1956:
Adult
486
Children's
104
Books Removed
5
Books in Library Dec. 1956
11,405
Record Albums added
76
Magazines purchased
32
Circulation :
Adult
13,624
Juvenile
8,927
Magazines
1,584
Records
366
Pamphlets
173
VIRGINIA S. DOANE, Librarian Brooks Free Library
Report of the Elementary School Building Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
The Elementary School Building Committee having ful- filled its duties to the best of its ability with the interest of the town and the school children in mind will turn the new addition to the Elementary School over to the Town School Committee prior to March 1st, 1957.
93
The chairman can only say thanks to a conscientious, hard working, well balanced committee that has been a pleasure to work with.
Respectfully submitted,
BRENTON I. WIXON, Chm. E. GORHAM NICKERSON ARTHUR P. DOANE, JR. ELIZABETH W. MITCHELL,
Secretary
Report of the Finance Committee
The Annual Town Meeting of 1956 voted $8,000.00 for the Reserve Fund, to be used by the Finance Committee for emergency purposes.
The following disbursements have been made:
Reserve Fund Appropriation
$8,000.00
Mar. 26-Snow Removal
$3,500.00
June 11-Snow Removal 400.00
June 11-Police Radios 237.87
Aug. 14-Disability Assistance 1,600.00
Sept. 28-Disability Assistance
1,600.00
Oct. 6-Veterans Department 282.00
Oct. 6-Fire Department 274.50
7,894.37
$105.63
The heavy snow fall the early part of the year took quite a large part of the Reserve Fund so that we were unable to meet requests at the end of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. BALDWIN, Chm. HENRY HIGGINS
GUY O. PUTNAM
RALPH CASHEN, SR.
ASAHEL E. DRAKE ALFRED PAINE
CARLTON E. CHANDLER
ALFRED CARTER
IRVIN PHIPPS
Finance Committee
94
Report of the Cemetery Commissioners
This year, more than ever before, our summer guests and tourists were seen to visit the various cemeteries throughout the town for one or more of several reasons. This year, also, proved to be one in which practically all vegetation grew with a determined vigor. Nearly all of our appropriation was consumed in the mowing of the grass alone. A few small overturned stones were righted and considerable brush and debris removed from the ten cemeteries whose care is under our supervision.
In view of the fact that future years may prove as green as 1956, the present appropriation is far from sufficient to make repair to, and paint, fences, gates and posts around and within our cemeteries. These repairs and this painting have demanded our attention for some time and it is hoped that an increase in the present appropriation will permit us to have this work taken care of.
Only a few of the present voters in this town are aware of the existence of a cemetery (Lothrop Cemetery, so-called) off Lothrop Avenue. This cemetery has been the object of target practice by gun shot and other destructive action. The posts and fencing have been completely destroyed and all the markers either broken or stolen. We wish to restore some sort of boundry marking and to clear out the roadway approaching the area. These are only two of the many ob- jectives we hope to accomplish in the near future. Any in- formation regarding names and dates on former markers in this cemetery any person is able to furnish this committee will be gratefully received.
It is only right that we show proper respect for our loved ones, friends and relations who laid the foundation for our town and for those who gave their lives for our country.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN R. S. HANDREN RODNEY A. O'BRIEN AMBROSE J. NICKERSON Cemetery Commissioners
95
Report of the Municipal Airport Study Commission
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Harwich,
Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
As an appointed committee to study the advantages and disadvantages of a Municipal Airport, and the advisibility of acquiring land for that purpose.
We will make a complete report to the Selectmen of Harwich this year. No report can be turned in until we have the final approval of the Massachusetts Aeronautical Com- mission.
Respectfully yours,
WILFRED E. ADAMS
CHARLES S. HARTIG FRED W. CROWELL, JR.
DONALD E. HALL
RICHARD SYMMES
Report of the Trustees of the Caleb Chase Fund
Income received January 1, 1956 to December 31, 1956 $835.21
Paid to town of Harwich for use by the Welfare Department January 1, 1956 to December 31, 1956 $835.21
Statement of Investments
30 shares General Electric Co. 567.60
50 shares The National Shawmut Bank of Boston 1,312.50
53 shares First National Bank of Boston 1,850.00
30 shares American Telephone & Telegraph Company 4,668.01
3 conv. Debenture Bonds Am. Tel. & Tel. Co. 300.00
. The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank a/c 16601 1,605.38
$10,303.49
Respectfully submitted, DOUGLAS B. SAWYER, Treasurer Trustees Caleb Chase Fund Town of Harwich, Mass.
96
Jury List
Barker, Wilma I .- Depot Ave., S. Harwich-Clerk-Thayer's Gift & Flower Shop, Main St., S. Harwich.
Husband-Commercial Fisherman-Gearwar, Dennisport.
Chandler, Carlton E .- Depot St., N. Harwich-Truck Driver-Town of Harwich Highway Department.
Chase, Emma G .- Main St., Harwich-Secretary Snow Inn, Snow Inn Rd., Harwich Port.
Husband-Bookkeeper-Flax Pond Lumber Co., S. Yarmouth Rd., Dennis.
Crowell, Cleon S .- Wah-Wah-Taysee Rd., Harwich Port-Self employed- Wood carving-Wah-Wah Taysee Rd., Harwich Port.
Doble, Charles French-45 Freeman St., Harwich Port -- Retired-former- ly with Pneumatic Scales Corp. Lt., N. Quincy.
Dreher, Raymond C .- 32 Wequasset Rd., Harwich Port-Self employed- Advertising & Public Relations Consultant-32 Wequasset Rd., Har- wich Port.
Ellis, Joseph L .- Freeman St., Harwich Port-Retired-formerly self em- ployed Garage owner-Ellis' Garage, Main St., Harwich Port.
Farham, Eric A .- Main St., West Harwich-Self employed-Furniture Decorator and Refinisher-Main St., West Harwich.
Gardner, Ruth R .- 20 Freeman St., Harwich Port-Owner of guest house and part time clerk-Buttner Co., Main St., Harwich Port.
Gavigan, James Henry-Park St., Harwich-Self employed-owner Hall's Gulf Station, Pleasant Lake Ave., Harwich.
Hall, Christine L .- 6 Witchmere Lane, Harwich Port-housewife.
Hall, Millard P .- Depot St., West Harwich-Salesman-Cape Way Motors, Hyannis.
Larkin, Robert R .- Main St., West Harwich-Self employed-Realtor and owner Bob Larkin's Sport Shop, Main St., West Harwich.
LeClaire, Vivian D .- Miles St., Harwich Port-Housewife.
Husband: Teacher-Harwich High School.
McCarthy, Robert E .- Sunset Rd., Harwich Port-Retired-formerly Claim Adjustor-Aetna Life Casualty Ins. Co., Pearl St., Hartford, Conn.
Morgan, Russell B .- 17 Sea St., Harwich Port-Self employed-owner R. B. Morgan's Sportswear-546 Main St., Harwich Port.
Nickerson, Hugh C .- Church St., East Harwich-Foreman -- Acme Laun- dry Co., Inc., Chatham.
Nye, Eddis B .- 31 Pilgrim Rd., Harwich Port-Housewife.
Husband: Pres. Harwich Lumber Co., Inc., Kelley St., Harwich.
O'Donnell, Dorothy S .- 1 Archibald Circle, West Harwich -- Cashier- Great A & P Tea Co., Main St., Harwich Port.
Husband: with N.Y., N.H. & H., R. R.
Pevear, Harold R .- 56 Brooks Rd., Harwich Port-Retired-formerly Self Employed-Waltham Coal Co., Waltham.
Pierce, M. Abbie-Pleasant St., Harwich Port-Hostess-Clerk -- Harwich Golf Associates, South St., Harwich Port.
97
Raneo, John Stanley-Main St., Harwich-Carpenter-T. L. Cottrell, Riverside Drive, West Harwich.
Rogers, Lillian S .- 11 Hoyt Rd., Harwich Port-Housewife & part time Pastry Cook, Snow Inn, Harwich Port.
Husband: Retired & part time printer-Snow Inn, Harwich Port. Smith, Edna S .- Depot St., West Harwich-Housewife.
Husband: Self employed-sign painter-Depot St., West Harwich. Sparks, Cecile M .- Main St., West Harwich-self employed-Realtor- Main St., West Harwich.
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