USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1940-1944 > Part 21
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DRAINS AND CATCH BASINS
A drain was laid on Prospect Street and three catch basins,
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six hundred feet in length were built. All of the old catch basins were cleaned out.
CHAPTER 90
A distance of 3,600 feet on East Center Street was laid with a mixture called "Mixed-in-place". It has proved to be the best way to resurface a black road. First the road is half covered with crushed stone, then an application of highway tar is poured and mixed with the stone, next a road grader levels the mixture and spreads it over the entire surface two or three inches thick. After it has been laid by the grader it is rolled with a gas roller, when two or three weeks have gone by it is seal coated by using fine crushed stone instead of sand. It makes a very good road and will stand hard travel for ten to fifteen years. This road was widened from eighteen to twenty-four feet.
The highway built a new spillway in the town river between the main dam and the Arch Street Bridge. The Spillway will show for itself what was done.
A FEW REMARKS
"What is the Town going to do for gravel", was the cry of many people a few years ago. The Highway Department solved this problem by opening a new gravel pit on South Elm Street. The best gravel we have ever used has been found and there is enough to last ten or fifteen years. A new sand pit has also been opened on East Street in the Matfield District.
I want to thank the Board of Selectmen, the Townspeople and the laborers who have worked with me, for their co-opera- tion and kindness during 1942.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE G. TUCKER,
Superintendent of Streets.
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REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1942
I went to see eight dogs seven consecutive times because of rabies. Made eight trips to eight different places relative to dogs. nipping children.
I would like to submit for the interest of the Townspeople a copy of a letter received by me from the Department of Agri- culture, Division of Livestock Disease Control, Boston, Massa- chusetts.
October 13, 1942
To Inspector of Animals:
Under Massachusetts Law, Chapter 129 Section 19, it reads, referring to Inspectors of Animals, "Inspectors shall make reg- ular and thorough inspections of all neat cattle, sheep and swine found within the limits of their respective towns. Such inspec- tion shall be made at such times and in such manner as the Director shall from time to time order."
It has been customary for many years to have such inspec- tions ordered and conducted during the late fall. This year, I regret to inform you, that due to war conditions which include the rationing of gasoline and tires, there will be no meetings of Inspectors of Animals and neither will it be required that Inspec- tors of Animals make the usual inspection of neat cattle, sheep and swine in their respective towns or of the conditions under which they are kept.
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The usual duties required of Inspectors of animals are to continue. I wish, however, to emphasize the importance of in- vestigating all reports of contagious diseases of domestic animals in your respective city or town and the immediate reporting of any outbreak of diseases to this office.
I also wish to take this opportunity to express the appre- ciation of Dr. Peirce and myself for your cooperation with this department.
Very Sincerely yours, James De Normandie, Director.
I do not know if we will have the same procedure during 1943 or not.
Respectfully submitted, DAVID DAILEY, Inspector of Animals.
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REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
The financial transactions of the Town for the year 1942 may be briefly summarized as follows:
Cash on hand January 1, 1942
$ 50,190.44
Cash on hand December 31, 1942
74,481.94
Received from Collector 128,082.77
Received from Other Sources
76,108.57
Total Receipts
204,191.34
Payments during the year 1942
179,899.84
Payments on Water Bonds and Notes
2,740.00
Payments of Interest on Water Bonds and Notes
164.80
Outstanding Water Bonds, December 31, 1942
1,000.00
Outstanding Water Notes, December 31, 1942
8,000.00
Tax Titles Accounts, December 31, 1942
4,793.75
Tax Title Redemptions
1,285.18
Tax Title Partial Payments
289.10
Tax Title Added Interest
86.15
Tax Title Releases
42.00
Sale of Tax Title Possessions and Treasurers' Sale
784.29
Cemetery Trust Funds Additions:
Estate of Abbie B. Jones for care of lot in Pleasant Hill Cemetery 100.00
Estate of Hattie R. Evrard for care of Alger- Evrard lot in Pleasant Hill Cemetery 200.00
Library Trust Funds Addition:
Estate of Anna Clifford Howard to be known as "William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Library Fund" 2,522.15
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Scholarship Fund: Estate of Anna Clifford Howard to be known as the "William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Scholarship" 5,044.30
The report of the expenses of the Treasurer's office and a detailed account of the Library Trust Funds, and Cemetery Trust Funds, may be found in the Town Accountant's Report.
ORVIS F. KINNEY, Treasurer.
84
ANNUAL REPORT OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE COMMITTEE
January 1, 1943
CIVILIAN DEFENSE COMMITTEE
Your civilian defense committee, first organized in August, 1940, went into full war-time activity on December 7, 1941. A community, more or less apathetic to the possibility of immin- ent danger on our home front, swung into action. A sympa- thetic town meeting appropriated funds to insure to the towns- people whatever protection a civilian defense organization could give; and, in turn, this same organization immediately set to work to establish the various units recommended by the Mas- sachusetts Committee on Public Safety.
The efficiency of these groups has been established through the untiring efforts of the division heads and the cooperation of the personnel who have taken the prescribed courses and who have so unselfishly given of their time and effort in carrying out their assignments during the past year.
Schools have been conducted and all who have satisfactorily completed the courses have been certified as follows:
96 Air Raid Wardens
25 Auxiliary Firemen 48 Auxiliary Policemen
Courses in First Aid Instruction have been given by Red Cross instructors throughout the year. The high school has con- ducted a class for instruction of messengers and will certify twenty-three (23). This course for messengers is one of the first
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of its kind to be established in the state and has received a great deal of favorable comment.
The local defense organization has a well equipped, well staffed, and efficiently organized hospital and first aid unit, a rescue and a demolition squad each composed of men, capable of handling any emergency, an evacuation and a housing com- mittee prepared to feed, house, or evacuate civilians should occa- sion demand. In addition we have men qualified through special courses conducted by the State and Federal Agencies for bomb reconnaissance and for decontamination and gas protection.
To overcome the difficulty encountered in getting qualified and competent men as speakers and instructors, the state com- mittee conducted so-called "refresher courses". Seven members of our organization attended one of these courses and all were certified as A. R. P. instructors.
The Boy Scouts of the town have rendered invaluable ser- vice at the report center and many of them have completed the course offered by the high school.
In order to test the efficiency of the organization and to determine adjustments necessary in the several services we have participated in the seven practice mobilizations and blackouts. The report center also cooperated with the State Guard maneu- vers on October 18.
The success of the entire program depends upon the edu- cation of the individual householder so that he may be of the greatest value to himself and to the community in an emergency. In an effort to provide some of this necessary information, the committee engaged Mr. William Sweetman of Brockton to give a demonstration in the proper methods of handling incendiary bombs in the home. We have also conducted one class in home protection and general A. R. P. information and we plan to hold other classes during the coming year.
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A committee has been organized under the so-called Block Plan. The purpose of this committee is to inform the public of the purposes of various phases of our war effort and to dissem- inate whatever information may be of value to the individual family.
More than fifty men and boys volunteered their services for our salvage drive on October 12. Over thirty tons of material were collected and the proceeds from the sale of this material have been turned over to the local Red Cross organization with the expressed understanding that the money is to be used for the benefit of our own townspeople and service men. The West Bridgewater Red Cross canteen served a turkey dinner to the workers.
The executive committee has met every Saturday evening during the past year and has endeavored to organize and develop the work so that the greatest protection might be obtained with a minimum expenditure of funds. To assist us in this respect the heads of the town departments have cooperated by allowing us the use of their equipment for emergency purposes. Through the loyal cooperation of our citizens the Report Center tele- phone has been covered every minute since December 7, 1941.
We are indebted to the Howard Johnson Company which has loaned us for the duration the building used as the report center, and to the many individuals who have so kindly furnish- ed the rooms.
H. E. Bryant, Chairman Ralph S. Frellick, Executive Secretary
William W. Noyes, Chief Warden
Alfred T. Wells, Food and Supplies Edward L. Bourne, Chairman-Protection Div. James A. Kehoe, Map Plot
Horace E. Swann, Evacuation
Dr. A. O. Belmore, Medical
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THE REPORT OF THE LOCAL WAR PRICE AND RATIONING BOARD, No. 325
A little over a year ago, when the Selectmen were author- ized to appoint a committee to be known as the Tire Rationing Board in West Bridgewater, little did anyone realize that the Rationing program would reach such heights in one short year.
Walter C. Dunbar, Carl R. Pearson and J. Russell Hemen- way were named to this Board by the Selectmen. After organiz- ing and being duly sworn in as unpaid Federal employees, J. Russell Hemenway was elected as Chairman.
In March we accepted with regret, the resignation of Mr. Pearson as he entered the armed services of our Country, but were very forunate in obtaining in his place, the services of Raleigh A. Holden.
At this time we were faced with the rationing of Sugar and so the word Tire was dropped from our title. Here we had the able assistance of the Superintendent of Schools and the Teach- ers in registering the residents of the Town.
Right on top of this, again with their assistance, came the first Gasoline Rationing. At this time with so many clerical du- ties being placed on the Board, we were able to have a full-time Clerk, her salary to be paid by the Federal Government, and we feel that we were very fortunate in obtaining the services of Miss Marjorie Clogston of East Bridgewater as our Clerk.
In July we had another gasoline ration which is the one now in force. Then along came Typewriters, Rubber Boots, Price Ceilings, Fuel Oil, Coffee, Heating Stoves and Bicycles. We were relieved of the Price Ceilings, that part of the OPA being trans- ferred to Bridgewater.
With the rationing of Fuel Oil, the duties become too great for the present Board of three members so it was enlarged to
88
five members. Sherman H. Perkins and L. Merrill Caswell were appointed as our new members. Mr. James Kehoe was appointed Transportation Administrator. Although not a member of the Board, he has become very helpful to them in the issuance of Supplementary Gasoline.
On the first of December, again having clerical duties too numerous for one Clerk to handle, we again felt fortunate in be- ing able to obtain Miss Gladys Bergstrom as a part-time Clerk, her salary also being paid by the Federal Government.
In the beginning, having no place to hold our meetings because of no available offices in the Town Hall, Mr. Dunbar, Tax Collector, very graciously invited us to share his office, for which, the rest of the Board was very appreciative, but as you can readily see, with five members and two clerks, it quickly grew too small for our purpose. Also, it interferred with the du- ties of the Tax Collector.
At this time we are very glad to state that, after a diligent search, we have at last acquired new quarters at the Defense Center and now the necessary alterations are being made.
Although the Federal Government does pay the salaries of our Clerk hire, and we are in hopes that they will furnish our office equipment, some expenses must be borne by the Town. Last year our expenses to the Town was a little over forty-two dollars ($42.00). This year the cost to the Town will be much greater due to the necessary alterations of our new quarters, together with other expenses such as Heat, Electricity, Tele- phone, Janitor, etc.
In closing we wish to say that we have done our utmost to help our townspeople get their various necessary rations as soon as possible, but if we have seemed slow, remember that we have put in many nights and many, many hours for which, we, as a Committee or individually, do not receive one cent of compen-
89
sation. We wish to extend our sincere thanks to our Superin- tendent of Schools, Charles G. Taylor, and all of the teachers for their very helpful assistance in registering the people for the various commodities. Also, we wish to extend our appreciation to the Selectmen for their help and cooperation, and all others who have helped in making this program a success in this Town.
J. RUSSELL HEMENWAY, Chairman.
SHERMAN H. PERKINS L. MERRILL CASWELL RALEIGH A. HOLDEN WALTER C. DUNBAR
Members.
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REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
POLL TAXES-1941
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$16.00
Payments to Treasurer
$ 2.00
Abatements
14.00
16.00
POLL TAXES-1942
Commitment per Warrants
$2,280.00
Payments to Treasurer
$2,066.00
Abatements
200.00
-
2,266.00
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 14.00
PROPERTY TAXES-1940
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$16.47
Refunded
45.00
Abatement $61.47 $61.47
PERSONAL TAXES-1940
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$92.65
Payments to Treasurer $87.40
Abatements 5.25
92.65
PROPERTY TAXES-1941
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$22,793.83
Refunded
47.40
Payments to Treasurer $22,435.82
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Abatements ยท Tax Title Takings
47.40
$22,841.23
329.60
22,812.82
Outstanding January 1, 1943
28.41
PERSONAL TAXES-1941
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$1,730.22
Payments to Treasurer
$1,691.04
Abatements
.79
1,691.83
Outstanding January 1, 1943
38.39
PROPERTY TAXES-1942
Commitment per Warrant
$82,901.96
Refunded
28.10
$82,930.06
Payments to Treasurer
$65,649.34
Added to Tax Titles
937.44
Abatements
932.68
$67,519.46
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$15,410.60
PERSONAL TAXES-1942
Commitment per Warrants
$12,092.64
Payments to Treasurer
$10,183.32
Abatements
492.52
10,675.84
Outstanding January 1, 1943 $ 1,416.80
TAXES RECOVERED FROM ESTATE
Commitment per Warrant $198.62 Payment to Treasurer 198.62
92
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1941
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$394.72
74.29
Commitments-1942 Refunded
18.83
$487.84
Payments to Treasurer
$403.49
Abatements
63.75
467.24
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 20.60
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1942
Commitment per Warrants
$8,019.35
Refunded
24.37
$8,043.72
Payments to Treasurer
$7,500.99
Abatements
183.58
7,684.57
Outstanding January 1, 1943 $ 359.15
WALTER C. DUNBAR, Collector.
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REPORT OF ASSESSORS
Total Appropriations at Annual Town Meeting held March 9, 1942
$150,371.41 None
Appropriations at Special Town Meetings
Total Appropriations made since 1941 rate was fixed
$150,371.41
State Tax 1942
8,250.00
State Parks and Reservations Tax 1942
119.25
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
179.81
County Tax 1942
5,627.07
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
1,904.01
Overlay
4,252.39
Total Amount to be Raised
$170,703.94
Less Total Estimated Receipts
55,311.37
$115,392.57
Less Overestimates 1941
123.97
$115,268.60
Less Amounts Taken from Available Funds
18,000.00
$97,268.60
Less Poll Taxes (1137 at $2.00)
2,274.00
Net amount to be raised by taxes on Property $ 94,994.60
Property Taxes Assessed Subsequently
None
Poll Taxes Assessed Subsequently
6.00
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TABLE OF AGGREGATES Number of Persons, Partnerships, Corporations, etc., assessed :
On Personal Estate Only
105
On Real Estate Only
960
On Both Personal and Real Estate
83
Total Number Assessed
1,148
Number of Male Polls Assessed
1,137
Value of Assessed Personal Estate
Stock in trade
$ 10,575.00
Machinery
33,000.00
Live Stock
93,475.00
All other Tangible Personal Property
294,830.00
Total Value of Assessed Personal Estate
$431,880.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate Land
$ 669,884.00
Buildings
2,290.900.00
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate
$2,960,784.00
Total Value of All Assessed Property
$3,392,664.00
Tax Rate Per $1,000.00
$28.00
Tax for all Purposes Spread as follows:
On Polls
2,274.00
On Personal Estate
12,092.64
On Real Estate
82,901.96
Total Taxes Assessed $ 97,268.60
Number of Horses Assessed 66
Number of Cows Assessed 858
Number of Yearlings, Bulls and Heifers Assessed 97
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Number of Swine Assessed
7
Number of Sheep Assessed
6
Number of Fowl Assessed
26,250
Number of Goats Assessed
8
Number of Dwellings Assessed
911
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
9,000.39
EXEMPTED PROPERTY
Real Estate
Trustees of the Howard Funds in West Bridgewater $107,250.00
Old Bridgewater Historical Society 15,500.00
Baptist Society 6,700.00
Methodist Episcopal Society
8,325.00
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston
24,100.00
Sunset Avenue Congregational Society
4,700.00
Unitarian Society
13,500.00
Cemeteries (Privately Owned)
4,540.00
Town Hall and Lot
15,500.00
Fire Station
2,000.00
Highway Building and Lot
9,500.00
Library
3,400.00
School Department (Land and Buildings)
66,100.00
Parks
8,800.00
Cemeteries (Town Owned)
600.00
Various Lots Owned by Town
5,895.00
Property of the Commonwealth
2,523.00
Total Value of Exempted Real Estate
$298,933.00
Personal Property
Trustees of the Howard Funds in West Bridgewater $ 7,000.00
Old Bridgewater Historical Society 8,000.00
Town of West Bridgewater: Fire Department 15,000.00
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Highway Department
4,000.00
Library
8,000.00
Moth Department
2,000.00
Police Department
500.00
School Department
7,000.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
250.00
Town Hall and Offices
3,000.00
Tree Warden
100.00
Water Department
152,000.00
Total Value Exempted Personal Property
$206,850.00
Total Value All Exempted Property
$505,783.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
1941 M. V. E. Committed
No. of Cars
Value
Excise
January 26, 1942
26
$ 11,590
$ 74.29
1st Commitment Mar. 11, 1942
138
31,470
1,150.68
2nd Commitment Mar. 31, 1942
743
138,350
5,063.33
3rd Commitment April 9, 1942
128
24,970
903.81
4th Commitment June 2, 1942
75
11,440
360.63
5th Commitment Oct. 8, 1942
96
13,610
322.05
6th Commitment Dec. 8, 1942
73
12,370
200.85
7th Commitment Dec. 29, 1942
9
630
18.00
1288
$244,430
$8,093.64
Average Assessed Value Per Car
$189.77
Average Excise Per Car
$6.28
ROBERT G. DEAN WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS ALBERT A. HOWARD Board of Assessors.
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REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
In compliance with the requirements of the law I herewith submit my annual report of the work done by me as sealer of weights and measures for the year 1942.
I have visited all the various places in town known to have weighing or measuring devices and have tested and sealed or condemned the same.
Adjusted Sealed Condemned
Platform Scales
22
Counter Scales
5
Beam Scales
3
Spring Scales
1
25
2
Computing Scales
7
Person Weigher
1
Avoirdupois Weights
67
1
Vehicle Tanks
1
Liquid Measures
33
1
Gasoline Meters
22
1
Kerosene Pumps
5
Fees Collected $35.93
CHRISTOPHER READ, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
98
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN and MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The following is my report of the condition of the gypsy moth pest as I have observed it during the year 1942. During the year I have noticed a decrease in the number of gypsy moth over previous years. In scouting for egg clusters we have not found them as numerous as usual.
We have sprayed all the shade trees in the town and many of them twice. The elm leaf beetle did a lot of damage to the Elm trees and as Tree Warden, I have done the usual amount of trimming of low hanging limbs and have cut out a great many dead limbs. We have also cut down several dead trees that were dangerous.
Respectfully submitted, CHRISTOPHER READ, Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent.
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN
The year 1942 has been a year of change. We have seen many of the duties of this Board, which in the past have been thought of as routine, either done away with entirely or greatly curtailed. To offset this we have had many new duties and prob- lems to consider.
New Boards and Committees have been organized to deal with conditions brought on by the war. With all of these the Board of Selectmen has tried to cooperate in every way.
To all who have served on these Boards and Committees the Selectmen wish to express their sincere gratitude. It is work done without compensation or thanks and is a sincere contri- bution to the war effort.
Many of the Departments of the Town have been forced to limit their work during the past year due either to a scarcity of materials or labor. However, the property and highways of the Town were in very good condition at the beginning of the year and probably will not suffer materially even though little is done for some time to come.
Work on the highways has been confined to maintenance with the exception of several hundred feet of new surface on East Center Street.
It has been our misfortune to lose the service of Selectman Carl R. Pearson, who was inducted into the Army in April. His loss has been keenly felt by this Board. However, we can but
100
feel that he is now serving in a much greater way and wish him the best of good fortune.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation for the fine spirit of cooperation which has been shown by all of the various departments and by the citizens of the Town.
Signed JAMES A. HEMENWAY JOSEPH B. PORTER Selectmen of West Bridgewater.
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION
Division of Accounts
State House, Boston
To the Board of Selectmen
January 25, 1943
Mr. James A. Hemenway, Chairman West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of West Bridgewater, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1942, made in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
101
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
During the year 1942 there were 126 reportable diseases sent in to the Board of Health as follows:
1942
1941
Chicken Pox
41
4
Dog Bite
2
6
German Measles
21
2
Measles
21
53
Meningitis Pfeiffer Bacillus
1
0
Mumps
30
20
Pneumonia, Lobar
2
0
Scarlet Fever
6
2
Whooping Cough
2
28
Total
126
118
Although we had only six more contagious diseases report- ed in 1942 than we had in 1941, it does not mean that we will not have an epidemic in the future. So we emphatically urge the parents and people of West Bridgewater, to continue their co- operation and loyalty in reporting these diseases as they occur to the Board of Health, for by so doing it will make it possible for adequate quarantine, and we may be able to check these diseases to some degree and prevent many adults and children from infection.
Statistics show that, a great many of our boys, who were deferred in the Army after taking their physical examination, had defects which were without doubt due to some complication
102
of these contagious diseases, principally measles, which is one, if not the worst disease when complicated, and if neglected may mean either the death or serious crippling of the child. Let us cooperate with the Local and State Boards of Health and try to keep our children in the best of condition, so that they may grow up mentally and physically in sound health.
I have made inspections of the sanitary conditions of all school buildings and found them to be in accord with the re- quirements of the Board of Health.
The Diphtheria Clinic was held at the Town Hall in May of this year, under the direction and cooperation of the Board of Health, and assisted by Mrs. Lillian Hewitt, I gave three inocu- lations, two weeks apart, of Diphtheria Toxin-Antitoxin, to seventy-two children, there were no reactions. The results ob- tained were satisfactory.
A. O. BELMORE, M. D., Health Officer. JAMES A. HEMENWAY, Ch. JOSEPH B. PORTER, Clerk Board of Health.
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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1942.
Appropriation
$2,300.00
Payments
2,048.96
Balance
$ 51.04
Complaints and Investigations
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