USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1958 > Part 6
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As we conclude this report we want to thank the Town officials for their cooperation and especially do we recognize the interest beyond the call of duty, accorded us by State Investigator L. J. "Bud" McManus who now resides as a Cape Codder in West Dennis. We also salute the veterans them- selves who appreciate services rendered them and thank them for their unselfish requests and kindly understanding.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY B. ALBRO,
Agent
Report of the Registrars of Voters
The Board of Registrars of the town submit their report for the year of 1958.
We now have a total of 2664 registered voters on our lists as follows: Women-1461, Men-1203. This is an increase of 130 over the year 1957.
Respectfully submitted,
CLEON S. CROWELL, Chm. HELENA T. MAGUIRE JOSEPH V. GAVIN
Registrars
79
Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
At the beginning of the year the Planning Board met and reorganized, electing Mr. A. F. Trowbridge chairman, with Mrs. Esther A. Stidstone acting again as clerk. Mr. Johnson, however, still devoted much time to investigating plans, in- terviewing abutters and signing plans approved by the Board when necessary. We wish to express our appreciation to Mr. Johnson for his chairmanship of the Board since its inception. Hundreds of hours of his time have been given to the study of Planning for the benefit of the Harwich citizenry.
Six subdivisions of property requiring hearings have been approved, as well as twenty-four plans which did not require hearings but were reviewed and signed by the Board for filing with the Registry of Deeds in Barnstable or Land Court in Boston.
On December 29 the Board Sponsored a hearing on the revision and clarification of the Town By-Laws. The Exten- sion of Industrial Area was again brought up before the citizens. Some changes were made in the revision and clari- fication. The vote of the meeting was to again postpone con- sideration of the Industrial Extension Area until such time as the need should arise.
The Planning Board has been represented at all called meetings of the Board of Appeals, the Massachusetts Feder- ation of Planning Boards and the Cape Cod Planning Board.
The Planning Board appreciates the fine cooperation ex- tended during the year by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Appeals, Building Inspector, and Surveyors and Engineers in assisting to carry out the Rules and Regulations.
The following is a report of the finances for the year:
Appropriation
$200.00
Legal advertising of subdivisions
$12.00
Mass. Fed. of Planning Boards
20.00
Cape Cod Planning Board
5.00
Telephone and postage
3.44
Printing Stationery and
Application forms
27.50
80
Legal notice for Changes in Town By-Laws 93.00
Total Expense
$160.94
Unexpended balance to revenue
39.06
Respectfully submitted,
A. F. TROWBRIDGE, Chairman C. W. JOHNSON ROSWELL H. NYE
ESTHER A. STIDSTONE, Clerk
Dr. C. R. CROSBY
Harwich Planning Board
Report of the Plumbing Inspector
To the Board of Health
Town of Harwich, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for 1958:
Estimated cost of Plumbing
$117,072.00 $271.00
Turned in to Treasurer of Town Total Permits issued 271
Dwellings
234
Restaurant &
Barber Shop
1
Barber Shop
1
Water Station
1
Dog Kennel 1
Guest House
1
Laundry
1
Club
1
Comfort Station
1
Restaurants
7
Hotel
1
Garages
2
Cabana
1
Stores
2
Hotel Kitchen
1
Church School
1
Duplex 1
Offices
2
Shops
2
Motel
1
Bowling Alley
1
Rooming Houses
2
Fish Plant
1
Fire Station
1
Town Office
1
Beach House
1
Bath House
1
Inspections by Inspector
363
Inspections by Asst. Inspector 155
There has been a slight increase in the number of permits issued over last year.
Respectfully submitted, COURTENAY N. CHASE, Plumbing Inspector
$200.00
81
Report of the Finance Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The members of this committee met in weekly sessions this year from March until December, with the exception of July and August, in an endeavor to set up a schedule of pay rates for the employees of the town in appointive positions at the request of the Board of Selectmen. This study was made in addition to the regular sessions usually held by this Committee.
The following transfers were made from the Reserve Fund Appropriation:
Reserve Fund
$8,000.00
May 12, 1958 Selectmen
(Elections, Wages and Expenses) $200.00
Aug. 25, 1958 Selectmen (Elections, Wages and Expenses) 800.00
Oct. 22, 1958 Selectmen's Expense
250.00
Nov. 12, 1958 Board of Appeals
100.00
Nov. 12, 1958 Brooks Library Trustees
100.00
Nov. 12, 1958 Selectmen
(Elections, Wages and Expenses) 300.00
Nov. 12, 1958 Police Dept.
(Special Officers Wages) 425.00
Nov. 12, 1958 Selectmen
(Continuation of Assessors' Maps
program in order to dispose of un- taxed and unpaid taxes prior to January 1959) 500.00
Dec. 1, 1958 Fire Dept.
(Call Firemen's Salaries) 252.00
Dec. 29, 1958 Fire Dept. (Call Firemen's Salaries) 250.00
Again my sincere thanks to each member of this Com- mittee for the wholehearted manner in which they carried on during this very busy year and to the several department heads who cooperated with us in a most commendable manner.
Respectfully submitted,
IRVIN R. PHIPPS, Chairman F. W. CROWELL, Jr. RALPH W. BRETT FERNAND A. FOURNIER RALPH CASHEN RAYMOND H. GRAYSON GUY O. PUTNUM
DAVID M. DAVIS
RALPH B. SNOW Harwich Finance Committee
82
Report of the Harwich Regional District Planning Committee 1959
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
During November and December members of the Harwich and Chatham Regional District Planning Committees met with representatives of the School Building Assistants Com- mission. The needs of our towns appeared to be almost identical.
By 1967 both Chatham and Harwich will require all of their existing school buildings to accommodate Kindergarten through the sixth grades. The obvious solution would be a combined Junior-Senior High School. What is more impor- tant, by combining the school populations at this level a far more desirable curriculum can be offered at much less ex- pense than if each town tries to solve its space problem alone.
By way of cost comparison it was pointed out that instead of receiving 20% State aid by "going it alone", a region would receive 35% of the cost of the building plus all planning and architects fees. After the building was built there would be an additional 15% of State aid for current expenses. And fur- ther, the towns would be reimbursed for the entire cost of transportation.
It was the feeling of the Commission that if this building became a reality it should be an 800 pupil unit. Based on a recently built school of this size figures were quoted which amounted to approximately $460,000.00 for the cost of con- struction to each town. It was also pointed out that it cost another town which had rejected regionalization as much to build a school to meet its needs as it did a region of two towns to house all its pupils.
Your Harwich Committee sincerely believes that there is every reason to wait and see what action Chatham will take regarding the report of their Regional Committee at their coming Town Meeting and to pursue most earnestly every avenue of approach to a region of the two towns.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. DAVID M. DAVIS, Chm. DR. JULIUS WARREN MRS. E. JAMES LEONARD
83
Annual Report of the Playground and Recreation Commission
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
In reviewing the past year for the Ninth Annual Report of the Harwich Playground and Recreation Commission, we find in 1958 many and varied activities were crowding the Recreation Building. As 12,410 individuals, engaged in 450 group activities, overflowed the limited space, the need for a large all purpose room, or preferably a new multi-purpose community building was re-emphasized.
In keeping with the brightening up process, improve- ments have been made, namely-the painting of the east side, the rear outside entrances and the lettering on the west end. In addition there is the new electrified bulletin board-a gift -which supplies a long felt need.
In progress is a landscape "face lifting" which has been made possible by a half-dozen generous contributors of pre- cious time and energy, professional advice, and valuable plant material. Other gifts have included a set of swings for the Play Area.
The Sports Program, sponsored by the Commission, has grown and becomes more varied with each year of operation. In the summer of 1958, seventy boys and girls attended the Beginner's Swimming Class. Seventeen of this group were awarded certificates. Many children, here on short vacation, who although qualified, were unable to take the required final tests.
Eighteen participated in the Intermediate Class, of which fourteen received certificates. Eleven registered Swimmers were all awarded certificates, and of the eight Junior Life Savers, four qualified.
Thirty-five boys registered for Baseball Lessons; fifteen boys and girls in Archery; twenty in Tennis and four in Golf.
Field Day, a completely new feature, topped the program and was a huge success indicating a traditional finish for future seasons.
84
The Sports Director suggests that the 1959 program in- clude kick, volley, dodge, and softball, horseshoes, and a sprinkling of treasure hunts and hikes.
One of the most critical problems facing the Commission for the coming year is the possible re-location of the swim- ming program. Rough surf and fog at the Bank Street Beach emphasized the need for a safe, fresh water sandy bottom pond where the complete swiming program might be con- ducted. The requirements would include also the construction of a T or U Type dock, and the use of a boat, ring buoy, life lines and First Aid equipment.
Presently under construction, as a further development of the Recreational Area, is a Multi-purpose Athletic Field. This field which should be completed for the summer, may be used for archery, football, and as a practice area for many other sports.
We feel there is a definite need for a full-time, year round Director Co-ordinator of Recreation in the very near future. The lifeblood of the Cape is recreation in its varied forms and many of our neighboring towns have recognized this fact by hiring part or full time Recreation Directors.
The Commission has and will continue to assist the Cre- ative Arts Program and the Theatre Workshop of the Harwich Junior Theatre. Urgent is the need of a well-equipped perma- nent home for our outstanding community project-the Har- wich Junior Theatre, sponsored by the Recreation Council. "Our good town fathers have been most cooperative and for eight seasons (eighth 1959) have housed our self-supporting, non profit 'Theatre Unique', in the Exchange Playhouse. Offering the family-public the best in Children's Classics- its continued successes have proved an asset which Harwich can point to with pride."
FORREST EATON, Chairman ALICA MORRIS, Secretary VIRGINIA DOANE, Treasurer EARLE BASSETT WILLIAM CHANDLER
85
Report of the Park Department
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
During the year 1958, the Park Commissioners have suc- ceeded in fulfilling the many and several wishes of the voters of the town. Among these wishes can be listed the following:
BROOKS PARK: The regular landscaping, servicing and policing duties were carried on in detail. A second tennis court was constructed adjacent to the original court making a double playing area of 100 x 125 feet with new fence enclos- ing the new addition. This work was done by the only concern in this territory specializing in this type of fence construction. The area adjacent to the tennis courts was graded and a new picnic area formed. A baseball practice-slide pit was con- structed at the north end of the park. The bandstand was repaired and painted. An obstruction was placed across the roadway leading into the original picnic area to prevent vehicles from driving across the newly seeded section and to help prevent erosion at the south-east corner of the park. This roadway was becoming increasingly dangerous to drive over. Several dead trees were removed and the excavations filled and seeded. Some sections of the grandstand had to be reinforced and painted and some sections of wire screening were replaced. All picnic tables were repaired and painted. Several new settee benches were purchased for use in Brooks Park and Doane Park. A new work bench was constructed in the equipment building and a new overhead storage space added. A drain for excess water removal was constructed at the west end of the equipment building. Both shuffle board courts were repainted and numbered and some of the worn out equipment replaced. All machinery received final servic- ing preparatory to proper storage for the winter.
HARWICHPORT PARKING LOT: An attractive comfort station was erected, landscaped and put into operation this summer. An attendant was engaged to clean the building and empty waste receptacles daily. A supply of paper towels, hand soap, lightbulbs and other miscellaneous items were purchased. Coin-operated booths were installed in both the mens and womens lavatories. These booths are maintained and serviced at no expense to the town. Sixty percent of all receipts from the coin-operated booths is turned over to the town after a monthly accounting. The rose bushes bordering
86
the lot were trimmed and the fencing repaired. The area adjacent to the north exit roadway from the parking lot was cleared and the brush and debris removed.
LONG POND PUBLIC BEACH: The picnic area together with the parking lot were cleaned and waste receptacles emp- tied daily. The temporary boat launching ramp was repaired several times. Two picnic tables were placed there for public use.
SQUARES: All fourteen squares received regular week- ly attention. Flowers, plants, bulbs, etc. were rotated and cul- tivated and many new plants added throughout the spring and summer seasons.
A complete layout of long range plans were drawn up by this board. Labor and material involved will be amortized over a five-year period. These plans pertain, in part, to the further development of Brooks Park and the public beach at the east end of Long Pond. The present usable area at the Long Pond beach covers only about one-half the total area owned by the town, at this location. In our opinion this area is one of the finest prospective fresh water beach areas on the Cape and its early development is deemed imperative in view of the increase of our summer visitors number wishing to use these facilities.
This past year has been a busy one for the Park Commis- sioners and an even more demanding one is anticipated in 1959. We wish to take this opportunity to thank the many persons, residents and non-residents, who have cooperated with us in making our parks and squares something we can all be proud of.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT T. RYDER, Chm. ROBERT B. MEGATHLIN JOHN R. S. HANDREN Board of Park Commissioners
87
Report of the Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1958.
Number of Building Permits Issued 163
Number of Inspections 968
Permits issued as follows:
Dwellings 79
Additions to Dwellings 55
Garages 9
Commercial Buildings
7
Additions to Commercial Buildings
13
Estimated Cost of New Construction
$963,340.00
Appropriation for 1958
$3,200.00
Salary and Expenses
$3,200.00
Payments $3,200.00
Paid Town of Harwich for Permits
$163.00
Layout of Drainage Report:
Number of Sewage Disposal Permits 86
Number of Water Supplies Inspected 14
Number of Sewage Disposal Inspections 121
Number of Complaints Investigated 18
Appropriation for 1958 $300.00
Payments $300.00
Paid Town of Harwich for Permits
$86.00
Respectfully submitted,
WINSLOW B. SAWYER, Building Inspector
88
Report of the Shellfish Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Harwich, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
In 1958 the cooperative scientific shellfish program be- tween the Department of Marine Fisheries and the Town completed its third year. A complete record has been kept on water temperatures and salinity along with growth rates and set counts. From now on we have basic figures to work with, and each year's results can be analyzed by using the data that has been collected.
The plastic screen tests have been started by setting out three sections of screening. Two more sections are to be set out in April after the ice is out of the areas. This test is to see how much soft shell clam spat can be caught. The spat thus caught will be set in certain areas on our flats. The results will not be known until late summer of 1959. However, plastic screen has been used successfully in Essex, Massachusetts, for the last few years.
This year in December an oyster area was opened. These oysters were raised and transplanted by the Town and are of excellent quality and size. Buying oysters on the outside for transplanting is not a good practice. The price is high (about $3.00 per 10 qt. pail), and the shack in these oysters contains oyster drills and drill eggs. The oyster bed at Round Cove has been made nearly 100% clean of oyster drills by the use of copper filings and copper sulphate.
Also in December we opened Round Cove for quahaugs. There are plenty available for everyone. Over 300 bushels were planted beside a natural set and a hold-over from last year. Other areas were not planted this year due to dredging operations in Wychmere and Allens Harbor.
Lindane was used again to control Green Crabs and, as the crabs migrate, it will have to be used each year to keep them under control.
Scallops were in fair supply this year, and should be about the same next year. All our scallops are in deep water and a boat and drag are needed to get them. The scallops that do set in shallow water are eaten by the gulls or washed ashore and die. Shallow water gives them no protection from their natural enemies.
89
STATISTICS Estimated Amount and Value of Shellfish Taken in 1958
Family:
Clams
208 bu.
$2,496.00
Quahaugs
484 bu.
2,220.00
Oysters
40 bu.
480.00
Scallops
12 bu.
60.00
$5,256.00
Commercial:
Clams
None
Quahaugs
400 bu.
$2,000.00
Scallops
940 bu.
4,700.00
Oysters
40 bu.
480.00
Misc.
M. & SW
100.00
$7,280.00
$12,536.00
Number of Permits issued :
Resident-332
Non-Resident-68
Commercial-20
The following is my recommendations for the 1959 Shell- fish budget:
1. Planting, purchasing, and propagation of shellfish
$600.00
2. Shellfish Constable's salary 1,800.00
3. Shellfish Constable's expenses
300.00
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER W. MUNSEY, Shellfish Constable
90
Report of the Barnstable County Health Department
Board of Health
Town of Harwich, Massachusetts
For the second consecutive year, no cases of paralytic poliomyelitis were reported in this county. Distribution of polio vaccine by the State Department of Public Health has, this year, been limited to a supply for infants and pregnant women. Clinics organized for the vaccination of persons be- tween the ages of 20 and 40 years, were, for the most part, not well attended, and this age group has not been as well protected as the childhood group.
With financial assistance provided by the Barnstable County Public Health Association, educational classes were organized for the benefit of all Public Health Nurses in the County. Six sessions were held and all were well attended by the nurses. Topics covered were: Priorities in Public Health Nursing Service, Methods of Developing a Community Safety Education Program, Functions of a Public Health Nurse in a School Health Program, Planning a Program, and Tuberculosis Control.
During the year, a team, consisting of personnel and students from the Harvard University School of Public Health, has made a survey of Public Health practices in this county. Final reports of this study are now being distributed to your Board.
Statistical Summary
Administrative:
Miles Travelled
64,158
Individuals Interviewed
2340
Meetings Attended
389
Lectures, etc.
28
Attendance at Lectures
1006
Communicable Disease Control:
Visits to Cases
99
Consultation with Physicians
9
Smallpox Vaccinations
235
Diphtheria Immunizations
1868
Whooping Cough Immunizations
1060
91
Tetanus Immunizations
1868
3026
Poliomyelitis Vaccinations Asian Flue Vaccinations
58
Child Hygiene:
Visits to Clinics (Infants)
68
Visits to Clinics (Preschool)
245
Visits to Clinics (Crippled Children)
358
Visits to Clinics (Mental Hygiene)
564
School Children Examined (Medical)
573
School Children Examined (Dental)
1347
Children Given Fluorine Prophylaxis
834
Total Fluorine Treatments
3151
Social Service Visits
806
Sanitary Inspections:
Water Supplies
139
Sewage Disposal
139
Schools
17
Camp Sites
14
Rodent Control
7
Food Handling Establishments
2576
Dairy Farms
48
Pasteurizing Plants
61
Bottling Plants
2
Laboratory Specimens Examined:
Water Supplies
130
Milk (Bacteriological)
126
Milk (Fats and Solids)
117
Phosphatase Tests
3
Coli Form Tests
252
Cream
16
Food Handling Utensils
1687
Cases of Reportable Diseases:
Chicken Pox
186
Dog Bite
147
German Measles
112
Measles
466
Meningitis
6
Mumps
21
Scarlet Fever
28
Tuberculosis
9
Whooping Cough
2
Respectfully submitted,
F. L. MOORE, M.D., M.P.H. County Health Officer
92
Fourth of July Celebration
Again this year the Town of Harwich entertained thou- sands of visitors the night before the Fourth with the annual Lobster Bake, Band Concert, Fireworks and Block Dance.
For the first time the weather kept us guessing, but at the last minute it was decided to go on with the show. As a result, all of the fireworks could not be set up, and those that were set up were fired off late. We received an adjustment from the fireworks company for this.
The Lobster Bake, sponsored jointly by the Police and Fire Associations, and the Block Dance were well attended in spite of the unsettled weather.
The Orleans Band, with their usual fine concert, was en- joyed by all.
The Committee wishes to thank all those who worked with them to make the celebration a success, and to commend the Police and Fire Departments for the excellent job they did.
Fourth of July Celebration Expenditures
Appropriation
$1,200.00
Fireworks Display
$850.00
Labor
24.00
Square Dance Caller
25.00
Harwich Lumber Company
43.40
Total Expenditures 942.40
Balance
$257.60
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER W. MUNSEY, Chm.
CHARLES A. HALL
GEORGE C. BALDWIN
LELAND McKENNEY
FORREST A. EATON
Celebration Committee
93
Report of the Harwich School Space Needs Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
The School Space Needs Committee created by Article 18 of the Town Meeting Warrant of 1957 has continued to func- tion during the past year. It has met eight times, once in Harwich with the State School Building Assistance Commis- sion. In accordance with the original thinking of the Com- mittee, it has been concerned with two basic lines of action, cne a short range plan which would take care of immediate pressing needs, the other, a long range plan which would provide for a regional high school for Harwich, Chatham and possibly Brewster, if these towns outside our town limits should be interested in such a union.
Throughout our deliberations the Committee has been concerned with providing and recommending the most effect- ive provisions for the education of our children and youth, and at the same time the most economical program for the town to support. We had hoped to be in possession of a plan which we could recommend at the 1959 town meeting for the solution of the temporary needs of the schools. In some ways this plan would have been ideal for the temporary relief of the senior high school and for the future growth of the increasing elementary school population, perhaps for all time to come. This plan would have called for a single and comparatively inexpensive nine room addition to the elemen- tary school which would be used immediately to house the seventh and eighth grades and special classes, thus relieving the present high school building and enabling the town to abandon Brooks Academy for school purposes. It also would have provided for an auditorium-gymnasium which would make possible a fine physical education and extra-curriculum program for the senior high school as well as solving the need of the community at large for an adequate municipal audi- torium.
Two factors have caused your Committee to at least post- pone this recommendation-the first is that the Town of Chatham has appointed a Regional School Committee and this Committee has met three times with the Regional School
94
Committee of Harwich, twice with the State Building Assist- ance Commission. There are so many obvious advantages in a Regional High School for the two communities, both in costs and in the quality and amount of secondary education that can be offered in a regional school that it seems best to the School Space Needs Committee to delay its recommenda- tions until such time as it is clear that Chatham and Harwich do wish to join together in one high school or decide not to do so. It is hoped that that decision can be reached within the current calendar year.
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