USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1958 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
1,017.54
Art. 62 1957
1,005.10
Art. 48 1958
275.90
Art. 82
1958
1,190.54
Art. 84
1958 13,566.42
$20,681.17
these sums to be used to construct and install water mains not less than six inches (6") in diameter, construct additions to Water Department buildings, paint or repair water tanks, or any other type of construction as the Board of Water Com- missioners shall determine and to act fully thereon.
By request of the Water Commissioners.
Article 96. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to be used by the Board of Water Commissioners for extending 2" water mains where requested, provided the estimated income is at least 6% of the cost of installation and to act fully thereon.
By request of the Water Commissioners.
Article 97. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Water Department to negotiate with the officials of the Town of Chatham and the Chatham Water Company to supply water to the inhabitants of the Town of Chatham on the south side of Main Street, East Harwich, and to petition the Legislature for any necessary legislation and to act fully thereon.
By request of Harry B. Albro and others.
61
Article 98. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to extend the water mains from Robbins Road along Moody Road to South Street in Harwich Port and to act fully thereon.
By request of Kenneth F. Coulson and others.
Article 99. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to extend the water mains from Pine Grove Road southerly over a private way to the. residence of Roy C. Hamilton, provided there is a 6% return guaranteed on the amount of money expended there- for and to act fully thereon.
By request of Roy C. Hamilton and others.
Article 100. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to install and main- tain a water main along a private way off Orleans Road in a northerly direction to the residence of Richard Long and to act fully thereon.
By request of Delia M. Long and others.
Article 101. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to extend the water mains from Route 28, South Harwich, south along Deep Hole Road to Hersey Road, thence east along Hersey Road to Uncle Venies Road, thence north along Uncle Venies Road to the existing main and to act fully thereon.
By request of Robert J. Chase and others.
Article 102. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to extend the water main from Lower County Road along Pinewood Lane, West Harwich, a distance of approximately 475 feet and to act fully thereon.
By request of William R. Coffin and others.
Article 103. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to extend the water main from State Road, Harwich Port to Lincoln Village and Lower County Road and to act fully thereon.
By request of Bradlee F. Clark and others.
Article 104. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to enable the Water Commissioner to re-locate a hydrant now located on Main Street, Harwich Port at the entrance to the five and ten cent store parking area and to act fully thereon.
By request of Fred T. Young, Jr., and others.
62
Article 105. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for unpaid bills of previous years as provided for in Chapter 170 of the Acts of 1941 and to act fully thereon.
Article 106. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the unexpended balances of Special appropriations to surplus revenue and to act fully thereon.
Article 107. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from surplus revenue or available funds a sum of money for the purpose of reducing the 1959 tax rate and to act fully thereon.
Hereof fail not and make returns of this Warrant with your doings thereon at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-third day of January 1959.
STEPHEN WEEKES ALTON E. WALKER MILTON H. WELT
Selectmen of Harwich
A true copy :
Attest: Charles M. Johnson, Constable
63
Report of the Collector of Taxes
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES-1957
Outstanding January 1, 1958
$2,636.04 40.80
Refunds
$2,676.84
Payments to Treasurer
$2,279.04
Abatements
397.80
$2,676.84
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES-1958
Commitments as per Warrants
$66,934.95
Refunds
33.15
$66,968.10
Payments to Treasurer
$63,203.79
Abatements
717.06
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958
3,047.25
$66,968.10
REAL ESTATE TAXES-1957
Outstanding January 1, 1958 Refunds
6.35
Over Collection
.40
$39,424.05
Payments to Treasurer
$38,920.68
Abatements
432.99
Tax Titles Taken
70.38
$39,424.05
REAL ESTATE TAXES-1958
Commitments as per Warrants Refunds
$731,563.38
1,362.21
$732,925.59
Payments to Treasurer
$679,181.89
Abatements
10,221.93
Added to Tax Titles
510.00
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958
43,011.77
$732,925.59
$39,417.30
64
WATER LIENS-1958
Commitments as per Warrants
$37.93
Payments to Treasurer $37.93
$37.93
POLL TAXES-1958
Commitments as per Warrants Refunds
$2,448.00
4.00
$2,452.00
Payments to Treasurer
$1,868.00
Abatements
562.00
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958
22.00
$2,452.00
MOTOR EXCISE TAXES-1955
Payments to Treasurer
$4.45
Abatements rescinded
$4.45
$4.45
MOTOR EXCISE TAXES-1956
Payments to Treasurer
$160.69
Abatements rescinded
$160.69
$160.69
MOTOR EXCISE TAXES-1957
Outstanding January 1, 1958
$8,054.59
Commitments as per Warrants
6,781.78
Refunds
431.67
$15,268.04
Payments to Treasurer
$13,504.24
Abatements
1,763.80
$15,268.04
MOTOR EXCISE TAXES-1958
Commitments as per Warrants
$65,181.64
Refunds
830.57
Abatement rescinded
2.29
$66,014.50
Payments to Treasurer
$53,671.17
Abatements
3,559.18
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958
8,784.15
$66,014.50
Respectfully submitted,
LESLIE V. NICKERSON, Collector of Taxes
65
Report of the Welfare Department
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
The following report of money expended for the year 1958 including all categories of relief with a total of 165 cases aided, shows a total of $151,847.31 for aid rendered and receipts of $121,104.78. Administration shows a total of $11,595.61 expended and receipts of $4,296.59.
Total Expenditures Welfare Aid
$151,847.31
Welfare:
Outside Poor (32)
$11,711.74
Harwich Cases, Other Towns (2)
1,099.96
Poor Other Towns (10)
3,190.50
State Cases (5)
3,145.87
Total (49 cases aided)
19,148.07
Old Age Assistance:
Paid from Town Fund
$51,200.00
Paid from U. S. Federal Fund
43,653.96
Total (84 cases aided)
94,853.96
Aid to Dependent Children:
Paid from Town Fund
$22,800.00
Paid from U. S. Federal Grant 12,684.17
Total (28 cases aided)
35,484.17
Disability Assistance:
Paid from Town Fund
Paid from U. S. Federal Grant
$2,127.01 234.10
Total (4 cases aided)
2,361.11
Total Receipts Welfare Aid
$121,104.78
O.A.A. U. S. Federal Grant
$33,653.39
A.D.C. U. S. Federal Grant
17,416.10
D.A. U. S. Federal Grant
1,153.10
52,222.59
66
O.A.A. Other Cities & Towns
$1,481.20
O.A.A. State
43,598.33
O.A.A. Recovery Account
6,303.69
A.D.C. State
11,001.53
D.A. State
1,054.52
63,439.27
Welfare-State
$3,170.89
Welfare-Other Cities & Towns 2,272.03
5,442.92
Total Expense for Welfare Administration
$11,595.61
Salaries paid from Town Appropriation Salaries paid from Federal Grant Adm.
$6,700.00
4,109.94
$10,809.94
Salaries:
Board of Welfare
$900.00
Welfare Agent
4,100.00
Social Worker
3,300.00
Jr. Clerk & Typist
450.00
Jr. Clerk & Stenographer
2,159.94
$10,809.94
Other Expense:
Travel
$185.90
Office Supplies
155.77
Postage
87.90
Office Equipment
158.98
Other
197.12
$785.67
Total Federal Grant Admistration Receipts:
Old Age Assistance
$2,019.77
Aid to Dependent Children
1,992.74
Disability Assistance
284.08
$4,296.59
Administration Receipts-State Disability Assistance (to Accounts Receivable) $142.22
67
SUMMARY OF WELFARE EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR ENDING 1958 WITH COMPARISON OVER 1957
1958
Total cases aided
Expenditures:
O.A.A.
$94,853.96
$80,913.50
(84 cases)
(80 cases)
A.D.C.
35,484.17
24,305.72
(28 cases)
(17 cases)
D.A.
2,361.11
3,090.31
(4 cases)
(4 cases)
G.R.
19,148.07
22,974.75
(49 cases)
(42 cases)
$151,847.31
$131,284.28
Receipts-Federal, State, Other Cities & Towns:
O.A.A.
$85,036.61
$61,722.00
A.D.C.
28,417.63
19,322.96
D.A.
2,207.62
2,478.46
G.R.
5,442.92
6,697.22
$121,104.78
$90,220.64
Harwich Share of Expenditures:
O.A.A.
$15,633.16
$12,344.24
A.D.C.
5,688.78
4,448.65
D.A.
586.72
754.10
G.R.
12,811.70
15,077.39
$34,720.36
$32,624.38
Medical Costs:
O.A.A.
$22,630.11
$15,449.05
A.D.C.
1,658.87
2,142.67
D.A.
356.19
1,750.19
G.R.
4,100.70
10,838.15
$28,745.87
$30,180.06
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVE L. WILLIAMS, Agent ALTON E. WALKER STEPHEN WEEKES
MILTON H. WELT
Board of Public Welfare
165
1957 148
68
Report of the Water Department
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
We herewith submit for your approval a report of the activities of the Water Department for the year ending December 31, 1958.
The reorganization of the Commission members took place as usual early in March with Francis J. Hibbert, who was reelected at the Annual Town Election for a three year period, as Chairman and Harold A. Thompson as Secretary.
The customary bidding was sought early in the year for General Water Works supplies and bids were called on March 31, 1958 with awards made to the following companies:
Hydrants Public Works Supply Co.
Cast Iron Pipe and Fittings Shahmoon Industries Co.
Service Pipe Cement Lined Pipe Co.
Service Pipe
Eureka Pipe Co.
Service Boxes, Gate Boxes
and Roadway Boxes Eureka Pipe Co.
Meters and Repair Parts
Neptune Meter Co.
Brass Goods Red Hed Mfg. Co.
Although 101 service connections were made during 1958, main line construction was at a minimum with only .70 miles of mains added to the system. This was due in part to adverse voting at the Town Meeting on water articles and the decline in building programs. Consequently, a greater number of these installations were made on the already existing lines.
The drop in service work resulted in a stepping up of the maintenance program. A thorough inspection of gate valves and boxes in the entire system was effected and hydrants were repaired with respect to proper drainage. During the winter months, water meters, removed from seasonal prop- erties and stored at the Pumping Station, were tested for accuracy. These were meters that had been in use for a period of ten years or better. The interior of the Pumping Station was given a coat of paint and both gasoline and diesel engines were operated periodically to assure us of their dependability in case of an emergency.
This year a program was initiated whereby 1,500 Red Pine and 500 Norway Spruce transplants were set out along the road and bank by our sub-stations. These seedlings were
69
purchased from the State and the employees of the depart- ment accomplished the planting ably assisted by the Harwich Boy Scouts whom we wish to thank. More of these young trees will be purchased in 1959 and planted in the water-shed area.
Because of abundant rainfall experienced this year, water demands decreased and our pumping records show that 43,322,400 gallons less water were delivered to the distribution system than in 1957. A total of 61.91 inches of rain was re- corded at our station and as a result we contemplate a decided low in excess water revenue in 1959.
This year the Town Government Study Committee met on several occasions with Commission members and the Super- intendent who were interviewed relative to the administrative procedures and operational functions of the department. In their report, this Committee made several recommendations which the Board of Water Commissioners are currently study- ing. We are, however, in the process of rewriting a set of rules and regulations which will be printed in booklet form and mailed to all subscribers in the very near future.
Because of the continuous growth of our department, it is now quite apparent that present facilities are inadequate. More office space is essential and we feel that this situation can be alleviated by moving meter testing equipment and storage racks to the garage from the engine room and con- venting this area into an office for the Superintendent. This would involve erecting two stalls including a meter room plus the installation of heating units in the present garage and we are requesting funds for this project in an article to be in- serted in the 1959 warrant.
In 1957 under Article 80 the Town acquired by eminent domain for the Water Department a parcel of land off Pleasant Bay Road in East Harwich as a site for future water supply development. Preliminary explorations in 1955 under the direction of Whitman & Howard, Consulting Engineers, revealed a good quality of water. In September of this year, a quotation from D. L. Maher Co. for driving wells and for equipment was accepted. A continuous pumping test from October 10 to October 14 was carried out with Water Depant- ment personnel on duty. The results of the pumping test were sent to the State Department of Public Health who has ap- proved the installation of permanent works at this location. A letter is on file at our office from the aforementioned de- partment relative to the matter.
70
You may recall that in our 1957 Annual Report it was stated that we had been faced during the year with the prob- lem of a poor quality of water in certain sections of the Town. Numerous subscribers complained about discoloration and an objectionable odor to the water. Frequent flushings of the mains in the affected areas failed to accomplish the purpose and this matter was ultimately referred to the State Depart- ment of Public Health who advocated treatment with a poly- phosphate compound as a corrective measure all water sup- plied from our stations. However, during this year, few com- plaints have been received, and in view of this fact, it appears momentarily that it will not be necessary to comply with the suggestion of the Public Health Department. If the condition should re-occur, necessary action will be taken to correct this problem.
As our half-ton 1951 Pickup Truck has been driven over 99,000 miles and for this reason is becoming costly to main- tain, we are requesting funds for a new vehicle and trust that favorable action by the townspeople will be forthcoming.
During the past summer in fulfillment of a maintenance clause in the contract with Roy O. Leonard, Steeple Jacks and Riggers, of Framingham, Mass., the rusted areas on the struc_ ture of the elevated water tank were retouched. Because of climatic conditions in this locality, it appears most practical to repaint this tank and the standpipe every three years and an artcle will be inserted in the 1959 warrant requesting an appropriation for this purpose.
Appended hereto is a summary of financial and engineer- ing data taken from the records of the department:
Service Connections
Taking Water December 31, 1958
1,239
Seasonal Takers Shut-Off
935
Total Services Used 1958
2,174
Services Not Used 1958
108
Total Service Connections
2,282
New Service Installations
1" 88
11/4"
11%"
2"
Total
New services installed
4
101
Length in feet
5,608.5'
7 1,202.5'
2 79.5'
172'
Average length per service
154.8'
171.8'
39.8'
43'
7,062.5' 149'
Average charge per service
$100.79
Cost to department per foot
$1.54
71
Miles of Mains by Sizes
12"
10"
8""
6"
2""
11%"
114" 1"
Total
1957 Total
3.08
14.68
16.46
15.87
8.82
.71
47
.02
60.11
1958 Added None
None
None
.13
.57
None
None
None
.70
1958 Total
3.08
14.68
16.46
16,00
9.39
.71
.47
.02
60.81
1958 Main Line Construction
Kind of Pipe
Size
Length
Great Western Road. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
623'
Queen Anne Road, E. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
371'
Bay Port Road, W. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
184'
Hath-A-Way, W. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
244.5'
Hall Avenue, W. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
287.5'
Wychmere Drive, Har. Port
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
58'
Mother Goose Lane, W. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
396.5'
Ocean Avenue, Har. Port
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
63'
Lake Drive, S. Harwich
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
320'
Pleasant Bay Rd., E. Har.
C. L. Wrought Iron
2"
507'
Dunes Road, Har. Port
C. L. Cast Iron
6"
734'
Total
3,788.5'
Hydrants
1957 Total
315
1958 Added
1
1958 Total
316
Water Consumption
Rainfall
Gallons
Rainfall
Gallons
January
5.79 in.
4,970,620
July
3.05 in.
26,368,200
February
4.01 in.
4,633,060
August
10.39 in.
25,231,590
March
4.41 in.
5,302,090
September
5.89 in.
10,186,430
April
9.90 in.
6,898,410
October
3.93 in.
6,348,410
May
6.31 in.
7,687,690
November
3.79 in.
4,941,970
June
2.44 in.
12,583,840
December
2.00 in.
4,850,160
Total Rainfall-61.91 Total Gallons Pumped-120,002,470
Average Daily Consumption (8 months)
187,787 gals.
Average Daily Consumption (June, July, Aug. & Sept.) 609,590 gals.
Largest Monthly Consumption (July)
26,368,200 gals.
Largest Weekly Consumption-ending July 26
7,712,900 gals.
Largest Daily Consumption-August 11
1,302,710 gals.
Hours Operation-Fairbanks Diesel
28 hrs. 15 mins.
Hours Operation-Sterling Diesel
28 hrs. 30 mins.
Hours Operation-Gasoline
2 hrs. 30 mins.
Hours Operation-100 h.p. Electric Motor
5 hrs. 45 mins.
Hours Operation- 60 h.p. Electric Motor
277 hrs. 15 mins.
Hours Operation- 40 h.p. Electric Motor
3,493 hrs.
72
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS ENDING DEC. 31, 1958
1956 Balance Outstanding Jan. 1, 1958 $52.15
1956 Collections made in 1958 26.05
26.10
Less Water Liens Added to Taxes 1958
26.10
1957 Balance Outstanding Jan. 1, 1958 $5,142.31
1957 Collections made in 1958 5,060.07
1957 Balance Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958
82.24
1958 Commitments
$82,502.18
Less Refunds and Abatements
101.44
82,400.74
Less Water Liens Added to Taxes 1958
11.83
82,388.91
1958 Collections
78,830.74
1958 Balance Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958 3,558.17
Total Balance Outstanding Dec. 31, 1958
$3,640.41
Receipts
Minimum Charges
$53,510.49
Excess Water
18,958.60
Service Connections
11,213.89
Miscellaneous
233.88
Total 1958 Collections
Paid to Town Treasurer
$83,916.86 $83,916.86
Expenditures
Principal on Water Loan
$40,000.00
Interest on Water Loan
11,385.00
Principal on Water Loan
10,000.00
Interest on Water Loan
1,275.00
$62,660.00
Maintenance and Operation:
Administration
$11,527.17
General
21,333.05
Pumping Station
6,133.16
38,993.38
Service Connections
12,390.06
Total 1958 Operating Expenses $114,043.44
None
73
SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
Installation of Water Mains on Town Accepted Roads
Payments
$1,476.76
Bal. from 1957 $15,043.18
Balance to 1959
13,566.42
$15,043.18
$15,043.18
Special Town Meeting-Article 1 (1955)
Payments
$2,839.84
Bal. from 1957
$6,249.95
Bal. to 1959
3,410.11
$6,249.95
$6,249.95
Special Town Meeting-Article 3 (1955)
Payments
$2,265.98
Bal. from 1957
$3,283.52
Bal. to 1959
1,017.54
$3,283.52
$3,283.52
Water Extension
Payments
$4,338.99
Bal. from 1957
$359.61
Bal. to 1959
20.62
1958 Appro.
4,000.00
$4,359.61
$4,359.61
Queen Anne Road
Payments
$659.94
Trans. from Inst. $935.84
Bal. to 1959
275.90
of Water Mains on
$935.84
Town Accepted Roads
$935.84
Dunes Road
Payments
$2,679.46
1958 Appro.
$3,870.00
Bal. to 1959
1,190.54
$3,870.00
$3,870.00
Off Riverside Drive (Moore)
Payments
$710.98
1958 Appro.
$1,380.00
Bal. to 1959
669.02
$1,380.00
$1,380.00
Electrification of Pumping Equipment
Payments
None
Bal. from 1957
$3,528.56
Bal. to 1959
$3,528.56
$3,528.56
$3,528.56
74
Pleasant Lake Avenue
Payments Bal. to 1959
None Bal. from 1957
$894.03
894.03
$894.03
$894.03
Kelley Street to Lothrop Avenue
Payments
$496.42
Bal. from 1957
$711.98
Bal. to 1959
215.56
$711.98
$711.98
Sequattom Road
Payments
$72.00
Bal. from 1957
$3,533.76
Bal. to 1959
3,461.76
$3,533.76
$3,533.76
Joe Lincoln Road
Payments
$384.68
Bal. from 1957
$1,389.78
Bal. to 1959
1,005.10
$1,389.78
$1,389.78
Rest Room
Payments
$598.06
Bal. from 1957
$619.85
Bal. to Revenue
21.79
$619.85
$619.85
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS J. HIBBERT HAROLD A. THOMPSON NORMAN O. NICKERSON Board of Water Commissioners
GEORGE GARDNER Superintendent and Collector
75
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith respectfully submit my twenty-fifth annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Harwich for the year ending December 31, 1958.
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
Scales:
Platform 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
1
1
1
1
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs.
5
8
3
3
Counter under 100 lbs.
1
2
4
Beam over 100 lbs.
Spring 100 lbs. or over
2
2
1
Spring under 100 lbs.
7
5
2
2
Computing under 100 lbs.
29
30
4
2
Personal weighing
1
3
Weights:
Avoirdupois
8 23
25
10
Apothecary
35
12
Metric
16
15
Volumetric Measures:
Liquid 1 gal. or less
15
2
4
Dry Measures
1
Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices:
Grease Measuring Devices
16
Meters 1-in. Inlet
20
38
3
2
Vehicle Tank Meters
2
1
Kerosene Pumps
2
1
Yard Sticks
9
Total
74
210
74
28
Money received from Sealing Fees
$92.80
Paid Town Treasurer
$92.80
Money returned to Treasurer by Director of Standards for Pedler's License Fees
30.00
Total
$122.80
Inspections made of Pedler's Licenses
2
Inspections made of Transient Vendor's Licenses
2
1
2
3
Prescription
76
Other Inspections
Milk Jars
40
Coal Certificates
2
Bread
140
Food Packages
163
Transient Vendors
2
Clinical Thermometers
15
Pedler's Scales
1
Ice Scales
1
Junk Scales
1
Retest of Gasoline devices after sealing
5
Total
367
Trial Weighing and Measurements of Commodities Sold or Put Up for Sale
Bread
34
Butter
30
Coal in Transit
1
Confectionery
10
Flour
24
Fruit and Vegetables
42
Meat and Provisions
32
Potatoes
45
Total 218
Coal in Transit re-weighed
2,000 lbs.
Respectfully submitted, VICTOR S. RYDER, Sealer of Weights and Measures
Report of the Town Nurse for 1958
To the Honorable Selectmen:
Please find enclosed my report for the year 1958.
Field Visits 1,818
Old Age Visits
70
Free Visits 64
New Patients 69
Fees Collected
$832.25
Respectfully submitted, ADELYN J. PEABODY, R.N. MRS. GEORGIANA RIX, R.N.
77
Report of the Veterans' Agent
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
The year just concluded was without doubt the busiest for this Department since Chapter 115 provided Veterans' Benefits for worthy veterans. Under the law qualified veter- ans receive Veterans Benefits for their wives, their children and their parents and none others. We find that many people have the mistaken idea that veterans receive all advantages merely because they are veterans. As a matter of fact no veteran is entitled to anything unless he is a worthy veteran and has eligibility, which means that he must be in need. Un- less there is NEED he, or his dependents, receive nothing and were he not a veteran and in need, he would have his allevi- ation from the Welfare Department.
Because the veteran lost his Constitutional rights to freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness while he was serving his country the Commonwealth feels, rightly so, that he deserves special consideration. Certainly we must not pauperize any individual who offered his life in time of war, and a grateful Nation has the same regard for those who lost the opportunity to earn big wages during the period of war as compared with the civilian population.
The World War I veterans are now rapidly becoming in need of hospitalization and with an average age of over 65 this is to be expected. However, we have been able to obtain pensions for many of these deserving cases and this item brings money into the Town rather than adding to the local case load. Yet, when it is necessary to have the disability treated in other than Veterans Administration facilities, we find the rate per day in local hospitals expensive and the total cost to this Department not only costly but an impossibility to determine in advance. That is why it is necessary to call upon the Finance Committee for financial assistance in the past, but we are pleased to report that for the first time we were able to complete the year without calling upon our very cooperative and considerate officials.
Another factor in estimating the cost for operating the Department is that the total number of veterans has not been increased. Not since January 31, 1955 has there been a vet- eran added to the eligible potential, and this official ending of the Korean War denies all those who have since entered the
78
services any benefit whatsoever. In fact these lads are de- serving of more consideration than they have received to date and when they are removed from the class rooms, they should be eligible for GI Education when they are discharged. Unfortunately, they are merely peace time ex-soldiers rather than carpenters, plumbers or what have you. To compete with the Communists these young men should be given free education by a grateful country, especially in electronics and the sciences and higher learning. An ignorant Nation and a bankrupt Nation is easy for Communistic infiltration and con- trol. Two good reasons why we must practice economy and encourage education.
Under the provisions of Chapter 487 of the Acts of 1958 we are now obliged to place a Real Estate lien on the property of parents of veterans who apply for and accept VB. This brings our Department in conformity with the OAA and brings no hardship to any veteran or his parents. It merely protects the tax payers, and veterans generally agree that it is a just law and they realize that they, too, are tax payers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.