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 1945-1949 > Part 6
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 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
2
2
Oil Measures Meters
1
Fees received and paid to Treasurer
$25.35
DOUGLAS EATON, Sealer of Weights and Measures
132
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year 1945.
Appropriation
$3,575.00
Payments
3,948.02
Overdraft
373.02
Court Fines returned to the Town
182.00
Stolen property recovered
204.20
Complaints and Investigations
235
Auto Violations
209
Auto Violations turned over to Registry
82
Auto Violations on file
127
The following cases were disposed of according to the nature of the case:
Auto violators of executive order number 35
25
Operating under the influence of liquor
11
Operating so as to endanger
11
Operating without license
4
Operating after revocation of license
2
Operating after suspension of license
4
Speeding
5
Failing to slow
1
Using car without authority
1
Allowing improper person to operate
1
Leaving scene of accident without making self known after causing personal injury
1
Leaving scene of accident without making self known after causing property damage
4
No inspection sticker
1
Rape
5
Assault and battery
5
133
Vagrant
1
Drunkenness
9
Breaking and entering
2
Larceny
3
Lewd persons
1
Delinquency by running away
4
Admitted to insane hospital
1
Escaped prisoner
1
Malicious mischief by setting fires
6
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobile Accidents
31
Automobile Accidents, persons injured taken to doctor 10
Automobile Accidents, persons injured taken to hospital 17
Automobile Accidents, persons injured taken to doctor and hospital
4
Automobile and bicycle accidents
1
Automobile and bicycle accidents taken to doctor
1
Motorcycle accidents
1
Motorcycle accidents, persons taken to hospital
2
Persons ill taken to hospital
17
Persons killed by automobile accidents
2
Persons drowned
1
Persons dropped dead
1
Missing persons located
2
Fires reported by police
5
Fires covered by police
42
Number plates returned to Registry
1
Summons served for other departments
9
Investigation with other departments
14
Emergency communications delivered
12
Investigations out of town
9
Road hazards reported
3
Street lights out and reported
14
134
Defective automobile light tickets passed out 63
Auto transfer papers given out and received 96
The police car has traveled 21,943 miles in performance of duty.
I sincerely wish to express my thanks and appreciation to the Selectmen and to the officers of the department, and all others who have cooperated with the department.
DOUGLAS EATON,
Chief of Police
135
REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
During the first part of the year 1945, the work of the water Department had been somewhat curtailed due to the shortage of materials and Government Regulations.
There were a few new services on new constructions installed, and a considerable amount of old services renewed with copper tubing the last part of the year. A large amount of old services were cleaned out where conditions were favorable.
The usual work of repairing leaks on hydrants, mains and service pipes, and maintaining of old lines was carried on.
The equipment of the Department remains in good condition at the close of the year, and there is a reasonable supply of material and tools on hand.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA,
Superintendent
136
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
We wish to make a special report on investigations that have been made in relation to improving our water supply and water distribution system.
Late in 1944 we obtained the services of Whitman and How- ard, Engineers, and their report was submitted to a special town meeting held in the spring of 1945, at which time it was voted to proceed with their recommended Method No. 4, that is, to drive test wells within the limits of our town and, if a satisfactory water supply were found, to drive permanent wells, and build a pumping station, standpipe and necessary pipe main connections to connect the wells and standpipe to our existing system, plus a pipe line from Main Street to North Elm Street in the vicinity of Maolis Avenue.
A contract for driving test wells was awarded to Edward F. Hughes and Co., the work being carried on under the supervision of our engineers. Test wells were driven during the summer and fall of 1945 in many sections and a satisfactory location was found about five hundred feet beyond the end of Cyr Street. A continuous pumping test of seven days duration was conducted at this site and we have received the assurance of our engineers that there is a satis- factory water supply available at this location; we have also re- ceived approval of this area from the State Department of Public Health, they stating that "the Department is of the opinion that an adequate supply of satisfactory water may be obtained from the site tested and accordingly approve it as appropriate".
137
Analyses of the water by the State Department of Public Health show that the water has an iron content of .05, a pH of 5.7, and a hardness of 40. In relation to hardness we wish to quote from the engineer's report as follows:
"A hardness of 40 is not considered excessive. The 1940 re- port of the Department of Public Health shows the hardness of ground water supplies in the state ranging from 5 to 186, one hun- dred fifty-four being lower than 40 and sixty-five being higher. There are several nearby communities having hardnesses between 35 and 45, viz. Westwood, Needham, Wellesley, Hingham, Dedham, Norwood, Attleboro, Scituate, Framingham and others."
The engineers in their report of February, 1945, estimated the cost of the proposed work to be $78,000 but due to the increased cost of material and labor they now recommend that the estimated cost be raised to $82,000.
So, the recommendation is that we proceed to drive wells in the location beyond Cyr Street, building a pumping station in that vicinity, build a standpipe located behind the school on Sunset Ave., and lay the necessary pipe mains as outlined above.
We plan to submit this proposition to the Annual Town Meet- ing this spring for consideration.
We wish to thank the Selectmen and members of the finance board for their interest and cooperation in these investigations.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE MAY THOMAS B. MILES JAMES C. KINNEY Board of Water Commissioners
138
REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE 1945
The Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture ( Plymouth County Extension Service) representing this department works in many and various ways in assisting farmers, homemakers, and rural youth. The brevity of this report will not permit more than a gen- eralization of the work on a county-wide basis.
In 1945 the Extension Service was confronted with postwar adjustments in the field of agriculture and its related industries. A well planned program was already planned and is now in operation for the reconversion of the agricultural industry to normal de- mands. These adjustments in the production of agricultural com- modities, requires the considered judgment of all agricultural, in- dustrial and educational leaders.
Each of the Extension Service Departments has dealt with a general educational program in many lines of endeavor. The agri- cultural agents performed service in an organized way for dairy- men, poultrymen, market gardeners, fruit growers, cranberry grow- ers, forest owners, home gardeners, general livestock owners. In- dividual help was given for many other interests.
Home demonstration agents have been active in teaching pro- jects of clothing, home furnishing, home management and nutrition.
4-H club agents have organized clubs for boys and girls en- rolled in garden, handicraft, sheep, clothing, food, homecraft, and home furnishing. Though not every town has been represented because of lack of local leadership, the facilities of this office have been made available to each town on either an organized or indi- vidual club member basis.
139
Special work on farm labor, selective service investigations, War Board activities, and many other duties, have fallen upon the Extension Service staff. The Extension Service seems assured to continue to render valuable assistance to rural people. Town Di- rectors, County Aid to Agriculture, will be called upon more ex- tensively than in the past to counsel, guide, and direct the overall Extension Service program for each town.
A statistical summary of activities follows which may denote the extent of Extension Service activities during the past year.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Agricultural Dept.
Home- making Dept.
4-H Club Dept.
Total
No. Farm or Home Visits
1,712
303
488
2,503
No. Office calls
1,899
255
177
2,331
No. Telephone Calls
4,611
1,480
1,443
7,534
No. Bulletins Distributed
6,594
6,025
7,339
19,958
Training Meetings Held for Local
Leaders or Committeemen:
No.
58
59
7
124
Attendance
624
659
48
1,331
Demonstration Meetings: No.
66
172
33
271
Attendance
2,944
3,066
336
6,346
Result Demonstration Meetings No.
6
6
Attendance
247
247
Other Meetings of an
Extension Nature
No.
83
73
162
318
Attendance
5,823
1,427
5,347
12,597
Meetings Held by Local Leaders No.
236
1,100
1,336
Attendance
2,588
14,000
16,588
140
FINAL REPORT CIVILIAN DEFENSE COMMITTEE January 17, 1946
That this committee should make a report at this late date may surprise many, but a glance at the reports and appropriations made at the March meeting in 1945 should remind you that we voted to continue the work of the committee until such time as the State and National Headquarters felt that the emergency no longer existed. Many of our activities were curtailed immediately following the Town Meeting and many have been terminated in the intervening months.
Much has happened since our last Town Meeting, and fortu- nately it seems to have been for the best. The announcement of V. E. Day, May 8, 1945, that war activities in Europe were at an end was wonderful news indeed, but of even greater import was the an- nouncement on August 14 that the Japanese had surrendered and that the awful holocaust of war had been brought to an end for the time being at least. As these reports of improved conditions con- tinued to reach us it became more and more apparent that the need for the Civilian Defense Organization was fast passing.
Every effort has been made to impress upon us the values that have been derived from the Civilian Defense Organization, and the value that this same organization may well have been in case of any major civilian catastrophe. It is, therefore, urged that in so far as possible the unit be kept available for such an emergency.
The Report Center was closed as of October 31. Most of the material that was loaned to us was returned to the owners. Part of the Red Cross supplies, including bandages, first aid equipment, etc., were distributed to the schools of the town. The balance is being held by the local Red Cross Organization. Canteen equip-
141
ment has been returned to the Town Hall. Some of the perishable supplies were sold and the money turned in to the town treasurer or to the treasurer of the local Red Cross. The Report Center has been turned back to the Howard Johnson Company. All bills have been paid. An article in the warrant will transfer to the surplus reserve fund the balance of
The committee wishes to thank all who served so faithfully during the entire emergency period. It was indeed a pleasure to know that we had so many townspeople ready and willing to give so freely of their time.
A considerable amount of money was spent on this entire pro- ject during the war period. Many may have criticized this expendi- ture. We believe that West Bridgewater's per capita cost was far below the average, and we consider that the amount spent was a very cheap investment when one considers the insurance guaran- teed by the organization that was built up.
We should consider that money spent on the entire venture might be considered as good insurance and we should all thank God that the actual horrors of war were not brought any closer to our doors, and that so few of those who went into the service have failed to return home.
HERBERT E. BRYANT, Chairman
RALPH S. FRELLICK, Vice Chairman and Sec.
ALFRED T. WELLS
EDWARD L. BOURNE
WILLIAM W. NOYES
JAMES A. KEHOE
HORACE E. SWANN
DR. A. O. BELMORE WARREN SARGENT
Civilian Defense Committee
142
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I have the honor of submitting my report of my activities as Dog Officer in the Town during 1945.
Number of Dog calls answered 61
Number of persons bitten by Dogs
6
Stray Dogs picked up Returned to owners
19
Destroyed
3
Struck by cars
14
Of these 4 were killed
Dogs causing disturbance
7
Dogs killing fowl
7
Vicious Dogs
2
Chasing cattle
1
Chasing deer
2
One hundred and thirty-five demands on delinquent licenses were sent out.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN T. GIBSON, Dog Officer
22
143
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE School Housing
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
In 1942 a committee was appointed to investigate the general problem of school housing in West Bridgewater. This committee made a report in 1945 in which the following observations were set forth:
1. That present housing facilities are inadequate and that cer- tain conditions, especially insofar as the High School is concerned, are neither satisfactory nor adequate for the proper functioning of a modern school system.
2. That in view of existing conditions certain steps should be taken immediately to plan for the construction of a building to relieve the situation.
3. That a committee be appointed to study the matter further; that this committee consult architects and educational experts; that the committee determine the site for a building; and that $1,000 be voted for the use of the committee.
It was voted that such a committee be appointed and the moderator appointed a group of nineteen (19) representative townspeople for the work. This group organized immediately and has held many meetings during the year. Dr. Herbert Blair, Di- rector of Research for Massachusetts Teachers Federation, has been retained as educational consultant and has made a complete study of our school system.
144
The committee appointed in 1942 recommended in its report to the 1945 annual town meeting the construction of a six year Senior-Junior High School Building. That report has been thought- fully considered and the present committee believes that the con- struction of such a building is the proper approach to the solution of our school housing problems.
We have investigated and discussed with the trustees of the Howard Funds the possibilities of purchasing land and of reno- vating the present high school building, but have been unable to reach any plan which the committee believes would be satisfactory and advantageous to the town. The committee has made every effort to agree upon some plan whereby the old building might be continued as a part, at least, of the new set-up. With a full realiza- tion of what such a recommendation means, the committee feels that a new building is the only solution. The committee also feels that this building should be located as close to the geographical and population center as it is possible to have it.
It was decided that the most economical and satisfactory plan is to develop a site for a school and community center at a location adjacent to the present Center School. A study of suitable locations has been made, and after considerable discussion the committee has decided to recommend the purchase of the lot of land located east and north of Center School.
The location is ideal for the development of a school area. It is easily accessible, has a minimum of traffic hazard, and is adjacent to land adequate for the development of play areas, athletic field, a skating rink, and any future building program necessary for years to come.
Naturally no action can be taken as to the actual building at this time, but it is necessary that plans for a proposed building should be prepared so that action may be taken at the annual meet- ing in March, 1947.
145
We have, therefore, inserted two articles in the warrant. One of these calls for an appropriation not to exceed $7000 for purchase of land, and the other calls for $2500 which together with a balance of $990.90 remaining from the 1945 appropriation should give the committee sufficient funds to have plans drawn for a building and to cover any further expense incurred in making the study.
That West Bridgewater must do something in the matter of school housing is a self-evident fact. That any building program means the expenditure of considerable money is known to all of us. However, we must remember that any expenditure for the improve- ment of educational facilities is an investment which stands to pay heavy dividends in the development of the type of citizens of whom we may well be proud in the years to come.
We urge every citizen to consider the advantages to be de- rived from the development of the facilities necessary to a modern educational program as compared to the relatively small amount of money which will be added to the tax bill of the ensuing years.
By the Committee:
Mrs. Raleigh Holden
Mrs. Ralph Fish
Miss Grace Keenan Fred Bisbee
George Maxium A. Scudder Moore Sherman Perkins Samuel Read Arthur Ryder
Clifford Carlson
Rev. Thomas Devlin
Allen Foye
Ralph S. Frellick
Harvey Scranton Warren Snell Leon Lothrop
146
ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF SELECTMEN West Bridgewater, Massachusetts January 1946
In making this, another annual report to the townspeople, your board of selectmen calls your attention to the commendable reports submitted by the heads of those departments directly under their supervision and control.
Due to lack of materials and the general shortage of manpower, due to war activity, all departments have been forced to do only what work seemed to be absolutely necessary during the past few years. The war has ended and we must now face the problems of general improvement and development of the town.
Any program adopted will of necessity bring an increase in the taxes. We urge everyone to study carefully the proposals for improvements and to weigh the advantages to be gained against the increase in taxes made necessary by the undertaking.
Following is a summary of some of the activities of the board during the past year:
ROADS
In a survey of the roads in the early spring, we found many in very poor condition due to the severe winter preceding. During the year, these roads have been patched repeatedly in order to preserve them until such time as they can be properly resurfaced.
We still have some gravel roads which should be surfaced, and we plan to renew the program of black topping these roads.
147
There are many parts of the town where sidewalks should be built, and we believe that some of this work should be done during the coming year.
With these plans in mind in addition to an increased amount of maintenance work that must be done, we are recommending a Highway appropriation of $15,000.
We had hoped to be able to complete the reconstruction of North Elm Street during the coming year, but the overall demands upon the state and county have forced a curtailment so that we will be able to complete only about 1/3 of the project.
The state engineers have assured us that they will rebuild West Center Street from West Street to the Easton line during the summer of 1946.
WATER DEPARTMENT
We have endeavored to cooperate with the Water Commis- sioners and with the engineers in their investigations of the past year. We have visited several towns that have their own ground water supply. The commissioners and the selectmen met with the Brockton board to discuss the situation. The latest plans and re- commendations as set forth by our commissioners meet with our approval.
EQUIPMENT
By a vote of the town, money was transferred from the ma- chine fund for the purchase of a truck and other machinery for the highway department. Several dealers were asked to submit bids and the merits of the various pieces of equipment were discussed with experienced users. We carefully considered the initial cost, maintenance costs, and adaptability of the machines to the needs of the department and as a result purchased a sand spreader, a
148 .
snow plow, and a Ford truck. We plan to keep the old Mack truck for emergency use until such time as maintenance costs become prohibitive.
GENERAL
We have perambulated the several town lines with represent- atives of adjoining towns, and with only one exception found all markers in place and in good condition.
In answer to many suggestions, the board has met the first Wednesday evening of each month. We plan to continue the prac- tice during the coming year.
For several years West Bridgewater has been faced with an ever increasing menace in the thoughtless destruction carried on under the guise of "Fourth of July" and Halloween celebration. Wilful destruction of the property of others is a very serious offense. A continuance of the practice will necessitate police action. We re- spectfully ask that all parents cooperate in stamping out this hood- lumism before it is too late.
The by-laws, as amended during the past year, have been ap- proved, with the exception of the sections dealing with the building laws, by the attorney general. This means that the dates for elec- tion and the town meeting have been changed. Please note. The town meeting at which appropriations will be made will be held at 7:30 P.M., Monday, March 11. Election of town officials-9.00 A. M. to 8:00 P. M. Saturday, March 16.
West Bridgewater is in a very enviable position financially. The final payment of the bonds and interest of the water depart- ment will have been paid before this report reaches you. We have no outstanding indebtedness. The cash balance on January 1 was $63,933.56 and the post war rehabilitation fund shows $52,151.05 available. Our tax rate has averaged about $30.00 over a period of 10 years.
149
The report of the state auditors shows all accounts and records to be in excellent condition.
The board of selectmen are very grateful for the friendly co- operation given us throughout the year by other elective officers and by department heads, and wish to express our appreciation to all who have assisted in any way.
WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman
FRED G. CHISHOLM RALPH S. FRELLICK
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1945
152
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Sherman H. Perkins, Chairman
Brockton 3164-J
Term Expires 1947
Ruth Caswell
381 East Street
Brockton 8176JK
A. Philip Erbeck Brockton 198-W-2
Term Expires 1947 75 Bryant Street Term Expires 1946
James A. Kehoe
173 West Center Street
Brockton 2731-M
Term Expires 1948
Paul H. Lundgren
Brockton 3458-R
Clare E. Parker
Brockton 919-W-4
8 Arch Street Term Expires 1948 17 Walnut Street Term Expires 1946
SUPERINTENDENT Arthur B. Lord, Jr.
Office: Howard High School Telephone Brockton 5094
Residence: 261 South Elm Street Telephone Brockton 6819-R Conference by appointment at any time.
CLERK
Florence M. Chandler 65 Plain Street Brockton 355-M-3
Office hours: Monday through Thursday 8-5, Friday 8-4 Telephone Brockton 5094
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. Joseph Calitri, M. D.
Central Square
Brockton 678
210 North Elm Street
153
Lillian M. Hewitt, R. N. SCHOOL NURSE
N. Main Street, Raynham Telephone Taunton 3028-M ATTENDANCE OFFICER Douglas Eaton Central Square Brockton 3410
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1946
Winter Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Fall Term
January 2 to February 15, inclusive February 25 to April 12, inclusive April 22 to June 21, inclusive September 4 to December 20, inclusive
SCHOOLS CLOSED ON
May 30
Memorial Day
October 18
Teachers Convention
November 11
Armistice Day
November 20 (at noon) 21, 22
Thanksgiving Holidays
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
High School Building, second Monday evening of each month, at 7:30 o'clock
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP, OCTOBER 1, 1945
School
I
II
III.
IV
V
VI
VII
Total
Center
24
28
19
19
30
39
39
198
Sunset Avenue
27
19
23
12
13
19
13
126
Cochesett
11
8
10
8
7
44
Matfield
6
5
6
17
Jerusalem
6
2
9
2
4
23
Totals
74
62
67
41
54
58
52
408
High School
39
47
47
44
28
205
-
VIII
IX
XI
XII
Total
Total-High and Elementary
613
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
Teacher Nils G. Lindell, B. S., Ed. M.
School
Subject or Grade Principal-Mathematics
Vincent D. Gori, A. B., M. A. Evelyn R. Hoyt, B. S. W. Edward Kincaid, B. S.
High
Phy, Ed., Sci., Soc. St., Grade 8
High Household Arts
High
Sciences and Geometry
Lucia S. Mason, A. B., M. A.
High
Social Studies
William Henry Moss, B. S.
High
English
Louise C. Ricciardello, B. S.
High
Commercial and Phy. Ed.
Janice M. Rylander, A. B.
High Languages
Herbert A. Wessling, B. S.
High Shop, English, Grades 8 and 10
Boston College
Sarah B. Yukna, B. S., M. C. S.
High
Commercial
Boston University
Ellen F. Kett, B. S.
Center Principal-Math., Grades 6 and 7
Elcanor Blainc, B. S.
Center
English, Grades 6 and 7
E. Faye Postle, B. S.
Center
Social Studies, Grades 6 and 7
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.