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 1950-1954 > Part 44
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Receipts from Other Sources
391,615.90
Payments of Selectmen's Warrants
780,640.99
Tax Title Account December 31, 1954 8,301.28
Tax Title Redemptions in 1954
818.82
Library Trust Fund Principle 73.05
Scholarship Trust Fund Principle 146.10
The report of the expenses of the Treasurer's Office and a de- tailed account of the New School Construction Fund, School and Water Bonds, Library Trust Funds, Scholarship Funds, Rehabili- tation and Stabilization Funds, Federal Withholding Taxes and Plymouth County Retirement Deductions may be found in the Town Accountant's report.
Respectfully submitted,
ORVIS F. KINNEY
Treasurer
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Following is a list by years of the unpaid Taxes and Water Rates as of December 31, 1954:
1953 Poll Taxes $ 4.00
1953 Personal Taxes 4,874.10
1953 Motor Vehicle Taxes 298.18
1954 Poll Taxes 40.00
1954 Real Estate Taxes 19,949.95
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Water Liens
420.20
1954 Personal Taxes
7,903.80
1954 Motor Vehicle Taxes
5,833.30
Total
$39,323.53
Water Rates Unpaid
$2,852.60
Total gross collections 1954
$430,238.89
WALTER C. DUNBAR
Tax Collector
Moderator's Committee on Public Health
The repeal of the "Union Health Departments" act, removing the legal compulsion to meet certain specified public health re- quirements, left the towns and cities of Massachusetts free to pro- ceed in their own way to improve their public health services. However, the new law, Chapter 600, Acts of 1953, "An Act Rela- tive to the Organization of Regional Health Districts," with its detailed provisions for organizing such Districts, and the financial assistance offered to towns complying with these provisions, though purely permissive in character, implies that this is the recommended procedure in order to obtain, in the most efficient and economical way, what is considered adequate public health services at a cost which small towns can afford. The towns them- selves will demonstrate by the voluntary efforts they make in this direction whether the supporters of the old law were correct in insisting that the only effective way would be the mandatory way, or whether the proponents of this new law are correct in their con- tention that the towns will go forward in their public health pro- grams of their own accord.
It appears to this committee that the formation of Regional Health Districts will prove to be an effective solution to this prob- lem of adequate public health services which confronts most small towns of the Commonwealth, and although there doesn't seem to be any organized movement in this direction as yet, we most
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strongly urge the Town to give serious consideration to this pro- posal, keeping alert to the opportunities as they present themselves to join with other interested towns in a voluntary Regional Health District, and taking advantage of the financial assistance available under the new law.
Many Moderator's Committees such as this one have been discontinued, and no official action is being recommended. How- ever, many individuals, continuing their interest in public health, are forming Citizens' Committees on Public Health, in an effort to keep before the people the problems of public health through social and educational programs. We hope that in our town too such interest and concern for the welfare of our community will be shown. We note with interest also that a concerted effort is being made on an official level to solve problems of public health by the newly organized Southeastern Boards of Health Association which first met in November 1954 with representatives of health boards of nine towns and cities. It is expected that a total of thirty-three towns and cities in Plymouth, Norfolk, and Middlesex counties will be included in the Association, and it is gratifying to learn that our town has become a part of this group.
In the meantime, the results of educational work in the field of public health are showing themselves by the fact that many communities, while not attempting at present to achieve the most completely desirable public health program, have made a begin- ning by jointly engaging sanitarians in order to keep milk stand- ards high, and to check on public and private water supplies, public eating places, school cafeterias, food handlers, tourist homes and cabins, rooming houses, convalescent homes, day nurseries, trailer camps, public bathing places, sewage disposal, town dumps, and the like. In contacting committees and public health officials of surrounding towns, we have found, for example, that Abington has the part-time services of a sanitarian shared with Middleboro. Bridgewater and East Bridgewater likewise share the services of a sanitarian. Stoughton does not have a sanitarian, but has in- dicated an interest in discussing with the Town of West Bridge- water the possibility of such a joint arrangement.
We feel we have studied the existing public health services and facilities in our town as well as it is possible for a lay group to do, and it appears that in the following areas of public health
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we enjoy services adequate for our needs at the present: School Physician, School Nurse, School Guidance Director (for mental health), Dental Clinic, Visiting Nurse (Bridgewater VNA), Well Child Conferences (West Bridgewater and Bridgewater), and Im- munization Clinics for diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus. However, in the field of environmental sanitation we have no pro- fessional services at all. We therefore recommend that the Town take steps to determine whether we could obtain the part-time ser- vices of one of the sanitarians already serving Abington, Middle- boro, Bridgewater and East Bridgewater, or consider the advisa- bility of engaging a sanitarian jointly with Stoughton and possibly some other town or towns showing an interest in such a proposal.
Because our town is growing, and the public health needs of the community are growing with it, we believe the Town will rec- ognize the need of filling this gap in our public health program.
Respectfully submitted,
BEATRICE KLINE
CAROLINE PHILIPPART
MARJORIE MACDONALD
RUTH CASWELL
DOROTHY FREEMAN
ARTHUR STEPTOE
LESTER HOWARD
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND SLAUGHTERING
The annual barn inspection of 1954 was made, and is as follows:
Barns Inspected
53
Cattles
713
Heifers (2 year old)
155
Heifers (1 year old)
128
Bulls
22
Horses
26
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Goats 7
Sheep
10
Swine
55
There were 8 visits for Interstate Cattle inspection.
There have been 25 dogs quarantined for routine checkup for rabies after instances of dog bite.
Respectfully submitted,
O. PHILLIP PEARSON Inspector of Animals & Slaughtering
DOG OFFICER
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report of the work done by me as dog officer for the year 1954.
Number of geese killed 6
Number of dogs hit by cars 5
Number of chickens killed by dogs 15
Number of persons bitten by dogs
25
Number of sheep killed by dogs 15
Number of stray dogs picked up
40
Number of calls answered
62
Number of stray dogs returned to owners 12
All dogs that we have a record of are licensed for 1954. There are several dogs that we have no record of that are not licensed and I am taking action against the owners as I come across them. The number of stray dogs is increasing every year and if everyone would take care in properly securing the tag on their dog's collar or get a new one from the Town Clerk if the tag is lost, I would be able to return many more dogs to their owners.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. DOWNS, JR. Dog Officer
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PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The medical plan which became effective July 1, 1954 provides a uniform standard for local boards of Public Welfare but shows in- creased paper work for administering and additional expense. The intensified service for Aid to Dependent Children is effective.
1954 shows an increase in expenditures over 1953 due to an increase in case load of 93 to 106.
Administration
General Relief
630.25
Aid 7,091.02
Old Age Assistance
4,438.39
54,036.48
Aid to Dependent Children
431.92
2,694.10
Disability Assistance
439.50
4,007.13
5,940.06
67,828.73
1954 Receipts
2,802.56
55,771.42
3,137.50
12,057.31
Board of Public Welfare WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman WARREN H. ANDERSON H. ROY HARTSHORN A. M. DEAN Welfare Agent
VETERANS SERVICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
This department had a total of thirty cases for Veterans Ben- efits and one case for War Allowance.
The State makes a reimbursement of one half on Veterans Benefits and pays full amount for War Allowance.
Forty-five adults and twenty-three children were aided dur-
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ing 1954. Hospital, Nursing Homes and Medical expenses were still heavy this year; about one third of total expenditures being for these services.
WILLIAM W. NOYES
Veterans Agent
FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the West Bridgewater Fire Department for the year 1954.
PERSONNEL
One Chief, One Deputy Chief, twenty-six members, One Alarm Operator, One Master Electrician, Five Deputy Forest Wardens.
APPARATUS
Combination No. 1. Chevrolet Truck with 600 gallon water tank. Front end pump, also small portable pump mounted on side, nine years old.
Engine No. 1. Seagrave Combination with 750 gallon pump built to specifications, two years old.
Engine No. 2. Buffalo Diamond T. Combination with 500 gallon pump, seventeen years old.
One E. & J. Resuscitator and one National cutting unit for emergency use.
One 2500 Watt U. S. Generator lighting plant. Complete for emergency use.
One twelve foot boat equipped, presented to the Department by the American Legion for emergency use.
One G. E. Mobile Radio Receiver and Transmitter mounted on Engine 1.
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One G. E. Mobile Radio Receiver and Transmitter mounted on Engine 2.
One G. E. Mobile Radio Receiver and Transmitter mounted on Combination No. 1.
ALARMS ANSWERED
Automobiles, Trucks and Tractors
10
Frame Buildings
27
False and No Fires
3
Aid Calls-Fire out of Town
10
Aid Calls-Drownings
5
Dumps and Rubbish
18
Woodlands and Grass (38 3/4 Acres)
39
Electric Wires
2
Resuscitator Calls
1
Aid to Police, Automobile Accidents, Lost Persons
5
Total Alarms Answered 120
In performing its duties in the year 1954 the Fire Apparatus has traveled 925 miles, operated pumps at fires for 203 hours and laid 5750 feet of Booster hose, 17,100 of 11/8" Forestry hose, 1,700 feet of 11/2" hose, 2,650 feet of 21/2" hose, also raised a total of 355 feet of ladders.
BUILDING FIRES
Assessors value of Buildings
$34,050.00
Insurance carried on same
76,300.00
Estimate loss on Buildings
5,675.00
Insurance paid on same
6,974.00
CONTENTS IN BUILDING FIRES
Estimate value of Contents
$23,275.00
Insurance carried on same
25,385.00
Estimate loss on Contents
5,805.00
Insurance paid on same
6,770.00
PERMITS ISSUED
Open Air Fires 927
Oil Burners and Oil Storage 221
Bottle Gas and Miscellaneous 96
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During the year I have investigated one hundred and eighteen complaints on various fire hazards, smoke scare, etc.
Bell alarm and Whistle are tested daily at 7 P.M. except on Sundays.
INSPECTIONS
Inspections on Schools, Public Buildings and Private Enter- prises are made periodically. Recommendations of alterations in various buildings were made, and these carried out. Also "No Smoking Signs" posted where required by Law.
Board of Fire Prevention Regulations Rules and Regulations of Department of Public Safety Chapter 148 - Section 10
It is required by law that any installation or alteration of fuel oil burners of any type shall not be made by any person or firm unless in possession of a certificate of competency.
No oil burner of any type, or oil tanks, shall be installed with- out first filing an application for permit with the head of the Fire Department.
After installation of oil burners and tanks, a completion cer- tificate must be filed with the head of the Fire Department for inspection work.
No person or firm shall use or store liquified petroleum gas (known as bottle gas) used for cooking and heating purposes, with- out first filing an application and obtaining a permit from the head of the Fire Department.
NOTICE
Permits must be obtained from the Fire Department for all open air fires.
ATTENTION
To keep your fire loss small, CALL YOUR FIRE DEPART- MENT IMMEDIATELY upon discovering a fire in a building, grass or woodland.
WEST BRIDGEWATER 'Ldad said
EMERGENCY I
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EMERGENCY TRUCK NO. 1
Emergency Truck 1, has been added to the rolling equipment of the firefighters; made possible through the continued interest, efforts and donations of the department, other individuals, and business concerns. The urgent need of this piece of equipment had been felt for some time, as many emergency situations must be handled when speed and efficiency can mean the saving of lives. Due to the increasing traffic in town, and the fact that both pro- tective departments work closely together, the truck is a vital piece of equipment as it is fully stocked to handle emergencies of various types. Aid calls are also received from surrounding communities.
An itemized list of the more than 30 names which appear in donations of time, materials and equipment would be too long; of the donated van itself, of the overhauling, stripping, painting, building compartments and racks, metal work and lettering and the enumerable accessories; all at no cost to the Town. A fairly inclusive record was kept, and 413 man hours went toward bring- ing the work to a conclusion. The total amount of donations, as nearly as they could be evaluated were $1450.
The equipment now carried on emergency #1, was formerly stored on Combination #1, thus tieing up a firefighting unit which might well be in demand for its initial purpose.
I wish to thank the Selectmen, Officers and members of the Department and all others who have helped in any way with the Department.
The new Generator purchased last year proved to be of great value to the Department in night work for lights at fires and port- able saw at automobile accidents.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA Chief
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POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the West Bridgewater Police Department for the year 1954.
Complaints
310
Investigations
439
Investigation with other departments
23
Investigation out of Town
15
Investigation out of State
1
Arrests out of State
1
Breaking, Entering in night time and larceny
5
Breaking, Entering in the day time and larceny
1
Larceny
4
Number of Arrests, 153 - Male 147; Female 6
CAUSES OF ARREST
Breaking, Entering in the night time and larceny
4
Breaking, Entering in the day time and larceny
2
Larceny
3
Non Support
2
Assault and Battery
4
Drunkenness
30
Disturbance
5
Using car without authority
1
Operating under the influence
17 19
Operating unregistered car
6
Operating uninsured
6
Attaching Registration Plates unlawfully
5
Neglect of Children
1 1
Leaving scene of accident after causing property damage
4
Allowing improper person to operate
1
Operating after suspension of license
5
Rape
2
Unnatural Act
4
Speeding
19
Failing to slow
3
Giving false name
1
Operating so as to endanger
Desertion of Children
69
Persons Escaped from Penal Institutions Persons Committed to State Hospital
4 3
MISCELLANEOUS
Court Fines Imposed
$1985
Fines reverting to the Town
$105
Stolen property recovered
$1300
Total amount of jail sentences imposed
4 years, 6 months
Total amount of jail sentences, suspended
2 years, 7 months
Total probation periods
10 years, 11 months
Cases dismissed
1
Not Guilty
2
Cases Filed
19
Missing persons
1
Missing person located
1
Business Establishments doors and windows found open or unlocked
126
Street lights out reported
91
Emergency messages delivered
37
Summons served for other departments
21
Fire calls covered by police
29
Fires reported by police
3
Arrest made out of Town
4
Times in Court
117
District Court
110
Superior Court
7
Road hazards reported
11
Escorts given
80
Aid to other departments
13
Persons dropped dead from heart condition
2
Persons sick taken to Hospital
8
Persons sick taken home
5
Prisoners transported to Plymouth (House of Correction)
2
Prisoners transported back to Court from Plymouth
1
Dogs hit by cars
8
Water leaks reported
2
Wires down and reported
7
Revolver permits issued
12
Class 1 Dealers Motor Vehicles Sales Reported
216
Class 2 Dealers Motor Vehicles Sales Reported
161
Class 3 Dealers Motor Vehicles Sales Reported
255
Individual Transfer of Sales Reported
207
70
Auto Violations Violations sent to Registry Violations placed on file Violators stopped and warned
364
241
80
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TRAFFIC REPORT
Auto Accidents 55
Persons Killed
3
Persons injured
36
Accidents involving property damage only
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WARN CHILDREN AGAINST SEX OFFENDERS
Tell your children not to be friendly toward strangers and to shun any advances that may be made toward them. Girls should be warned not to accept rides from strangers under any circum- stances. Report license plate numbers of those who try (pick ups). Any young person who is forced to walk through any lonesome, sparsely populated area at any time of the day or night, should take a companion along. If you learn of any accosters, notify the police at once and co-operate with them fully.
CONCLUSION Your Police Department Consists of Twelve Members:
CHIEF OF POLICE Douglas P. Eaton, Sr.
REGULAR OFFICERS
Edwin T. Gibson
Ervin G. Lothrop
Julian Ciampi Robert Anderson
RESERVE OFFICERS
Charles Hill
John Eldridge
Charles Grippen Edward Hackenson
Frank Dufault Robert Post
Henry Andrews, Jr.
The above police officers solicit your co-operation in assisting them to keep West Bridgewater a respected and law abiding community.
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In concluding this report, I sincerely wish to express my thanks and appreciation to the Selectmen, and to all other depart- ments for their invaluable assistance in helping us to carry out our duties.
Respectfully submitted,
DOUGLAS EATON Chief of Police
WATER COMMISSIONERS
We, the Water Commissioners of the Town of West Bridge- water, submit our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1954.
During the year a total of 73,497,224 gallons of water was pumped. This is a daily average of 201,362 gallons, a weekly aver- age of 1,409,534 gallons, and a monthly average of 6,124,769 gal- lons. We had one of the wettest summers in the history of the weather bureau, and this was reflected in the 15% reduction in the use of water during the year as compared to 1953. There were no days when the pumps operated at full capacity.
A total of 52 new and renewal services were installed during the year. All hydrants have been carefully checked and tested for leakage, and all have been painted this year. The pumping station has been completely painted inside and out.
Extension of the Fall River Expressway through the town re- quired devoting a great deal of time to the water department prob- lems thus created. The Commissioners are glad to report that new 6-inch mains have been laid at the Walnut Street bridge and its approaches, and new 8-inch mains at the West Center Street bridge and its approaches. This work has been done very largely at State expense.
We have kept informed on the activities of the Southeastern Massachusetts Water District Commission, and on legislation af- fecting water department problems in any way. All tests of the town's drinking water made by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health have been most satisfactory.
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The year 1954 was the first year of operation under the new set of rules, regulations, and rates which resulted from an 18-month study of operational costs. The Commissioners are glad to report that the new structure seems essentially sound and has adjusted the charges to a much fairer basis for the protection of the interests of the Town as a whole as against any one individual or group. Total revenue was less due to lower consumption of water and due to the $5 reduction in the basic charge which became effective Jan- uary 1st, but revenue was secured on a fair basis from each source of cost and in proportion to the costs incurred by each source.
During Hurricane Carol a large number of trees at the well- field were uprooted but it appears that the damage to the wells themselves was minor. For several days, while electric power was off, all pumping was done by means of the auxiliary system and water department employees were in attendance around the clock. During Hurricane Edna there was less damage and electric power was restored promptly.
A change in personnel is now being evolved due to the coming retirement from the water department of Superintendent Sousa. In view of the very fine cooperation between out-going and in- coming superintendents the normal efficiency of the department should remain unchanged.
It is anticipated that work on the South Street and Cross Street projects will be completed in the early spring.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD G. ASACK, Chairman GORDON A. McDONALD, Secretary WILLIAM E. CROWLEY
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
In spite of bad weather which included two hurricanes, the department was able to accomplish its work program for the year 1954.
Almost eight miles of town streets were seal-coated, the fol- lowing streets or portions thereof being treated: Arch St., Bedford
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St., Buttonwood Ave., Columbus Ave., Forest St., Francis Ave., Ellis Ave., River St., Hillside Ave., Pleasant St., Progressive Ave., Merritt St., Maolis Ave., Union St., East St., Matfield St. Howard St., Lincoln St. and Beacon St.
Approximately 6,500 linear feet of town streets were renewed with a 2.8 inch black top surface, mixed in place. The following streets or portions thereof were so treated: Sunset Ave., Vital Ave., Commonwealth Ave., Howard St., Brooks Place and Crescent St.
Before applying the black top mix to Crescent Street (North Elm to Spring), the street had to be rebuilt, which was work which had not been anticipated but which was found necessary.
The following drainage work was done:
Spring Street, 2 Catch Basins and 450 feet pipe laid. Keenan Street, 360 feet pipe laid.
East Street, 1 Catch Basin and 200 feet pipe laid.
Twenty feet of wall on the South Street bridge was rebuilt and forty guard posts were set on Ash Street. Railings on the Arch Street bridge were also repaired. After receiving a report of a near-drowning accident to a child at the water hole on Pleasant Street, the water hole was fenced off.
Chapter 90 Maintenance included the widening of East Centre Street from East Street to the East Bridgewater Line.
A portion of Spring Street, north from Howard Street, was built including necessary drainage under the Chapter 90 New Con- struction program by which the town is reimbursed for three- fourths of the cost by the state and county. It is expected that the Chapter 90 New Construction appropriation for 1955 will com- plete Spring Street to North Elm Street.
The highway department is asking the voters to approve the purchase of a tractor-loader with cutter bar and a towed sweeper which not only will reduce hired equipment costs but will also help the department do a better job.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD P. BERGLUND Highway Superintendent
74 TREE WARDEN
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1954 as Tree Warden:
The Town Tree Nursery, started over a year ago at one end of the Town Forest, is now in complete operation. It now contains 185 Norway maples, 25 Thornless Locusts, and 22 Crimson King maples. From this basic supply, the department can start planting a roadside shade tree program yearly, replacing trees removed each year and planting where there are none now. Each year the trees taken from the nursery must be replaced by young saplings which in turn will be ready for roadside planting in two to three years. In the past year, ninety-two shade trees consisting of Norway and Silver maples and Chinese elms which are resistant to the elm disease were planted along our roadsides.
Fertilizing of town trees still continues each year, using a com- plete commercial fertilizer. This is a slow but very important job, allowing only a few streets to be done each year.
The two hurricanes of the season added more work to the de- partment's work schedule. Some of the work brought on by these storms will not be completed until the end of next year as the work of cabling and bolting split shade trees continues. Approximately 850 town trees were lost in these two storms and many more must be removed because of their danger to the public.
The roadsides of twenty-eight streets were cleared of brush by the department in the past year. Other than hurricane work, the following trees were removed because of either public hazard, dis- ease or from complete death of the tree: six maples, two hickory, two ash, three white pines, one locust, five oaks, two willows and thirty-seven diseased elms. This work was greatly aided by the two and one-man power saws which are in fine mechanical condi- tion. The pick-up and dump trucks are in good condition but I recommend that the dump truck be traded in for a new model in another year as repair bills on this vehicle are mounting yearly.
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