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 1955-1959 > Part 14
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expenditures of the Plymouth County Extension Service. Town Directors are appointed in those towns where an appropriation is made. These Town Directors are unpaid volunteer leaders who serve as the Extension Service representatives in their respective town.
The Board of Trustees appointed by the Plymouth County Commissioners administers the Extension Service program and is composed of the following members:
Lloyd A. Hathaway, Abington, Chairman
Gilbert Beaton, Wareham, Vice-Chairman
Mrs. Harold D. Bent, Brockton
Gilbert Blacklodge, Whitman
Robert B. Bowler, Plymouth
Ralph McIlvana, Plympton
Mrs. Roy Puddington, Hanson
Mrs. Herbert Wydom, Brockton
Paul Lehtola, Bridgewater
Report of the Treasurer of the OLD BRIDGEWATER TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE, INC. as of December 28, 1956
To the Treasurer of The Town of West Bridgewater
Receipts
Sales of Ads in Book
$ 3,312.50
Sales of Books
935.29
Contributions by:
Town of Bridgewater
$500.00
Town of East Bridgewater
500.00
Town of West Bridgewater
500.00
City of Brockton
374.85
1,874.85
City of Brockton (Their Funds)
5,000.00
Town of East Bridgewater (Their Funds)
2,246.00
Town of West Bridgewater (Their Funds)
390.30
$13,758.94
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Disbursements
Cost of Book
4,266.41
Commissions on Sales of Ads & Expenses 906.00
Payment of East Bridgewater Funds
2,246.00
Payment of West Bridgewater Funds 390.30
Payment of Brockton Funds
5,000.00
Poster Prizes
133.75
Cost of Charter
25.00
Items Put Into Sealed Box
4.50
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
2.00
Cloudman's
9.40
Davidson's
25.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
63.99
Bridgewater Savings Bank - Reserve Fund
200.00
Balance; Cash on hand
239.09
$13,758.94
FRANK W. BURRILL
Treasurer
SCHOOL SURVEY COMMITTEE
The School Survey Committee was appointed by the Moder- ator at the Special Town Meeting on November 13th, 1956 to report its findings at the annual Town Meeting in March 1957.
The Committee held two meetings December 4th and Decem- ber 18th and inspected the Front and Rear Center Schools to familiarize themselves with these buildings. William Noyes, Chairman of Selectmen, Lloyd P. Tyrer, Banker and Frank San- born, Realtor, were invited and attended the December 18th meeting to give the Committee the benefit of their professional experience and knowledge for a better projection of future develop- ments affecting the Town.
Their findings, as well as the views of the Committee, cor- roborate the anticipated requirements outlined by the West Bridgewater School Department in their report of December 10th, 1956, which follows:
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"School Housing Schedule" beginning September 1957
1957 Neither the front nor rear Center Schools to be opened, hence no appropriation to be requested at the 1957 town meeting. Emergency measures to be taken by Principal Peter Sperandio for the housing of pupils in the junior- senior high school.
1958 Re-opening of the four-room rear Center School in Septem- ber 1958. Request an appropriation for re-conditioning same at the March town meeting. Two of the class rooms will be immediately needed. A special class for retarded children will be organized, using a third room. The fourth room will be used to relieve crowded conditions mentioned above in 1957.
1959
Continue using the rear Center School as in 1958.
1960 Re-open the two-room front Center School and request an appropriation for re-conditioning same at the March town meeting. One of the class rooms will be immediately needed and the other can be used to relieve crowded conditions as in 1958.
1961
Continue using both the front and rear Center Schools.
1962 New additional housing will be needed at this time. If pupil enrollment increases to such an extent, the above scheduled plans will need revision. This cannot be fore- seen at the present time.
In conclusion, this committee recommends that the Town Moderator appoint a permanent School Survey Committee to keep a constant check on developments that might seriously affect the need for school housing and, thereby, be able to make necessary recommendations without loss of time. The Committee feels this is quite necessary due to the nearing completion of the Fall River Expressway whose ultimate effects can not be accurately forecast today.
Respectfully submitted, ALLEN B. FOYE, Chairman HERBERT G. GORDON, Secretary FRANCIS D. HOWE THOMAS M. CHISHOLM, JR. ALFRED M. GAMBAO
74 PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board of the Town of West Bridgewater sub- mits their Annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The Planning Board has completed its third year in office and, in addition to their duties in regulating all subdivisions of land, are concerned with long range planning for drainage, sidewalk construction and other improvements for the Town's well being.
The Planning Board meets in the Town Hall regularly the first and third Wednesdays of the month, at 7:45 p.m. Those wishing to subdivide their property, or have plans they wish to record at Plymouth are requested to present such plans in person at these meetings. The Planning Board would also welcome any suggestions for Long Range Planning for the best interests of the Town. During the past year the Planning Board has held 30 regular and special meetings and one public hearing, besides meet- ing with the Board of Selectmen, the School Building Com- mittee, the Water Commissioners, the Board of Assessors, the Finance Committee and the Town Counsel to consider matters of common interest, besides attending meetings of the Regional In- dustrial Development Committee and the South Eastern Mass. Economic Development Committee.
The Planning Board has received sixteen applications for sub- division under Form A and approved fourteen. They have received two applications for subdivision requiring a new way under Form B, and after a public hearing approved one submitted by Mr. Robert MacDonald for the subdivision of land and the construc- tion of a new way to be known as Shagbark Road, extending east- crly from between 27 and 33 North Main Street. The Board has reviewed a number of applications for removal of sand, gravel, sub- soil and loam, referred to them by the Board of Selectmen, and have made their recommendations in each instance.
The Planning Board has personally visited and inspected arcas for which sand and gravel and/or loam removal permits were requested. They have inspected areas where sewerage disposal was causing a nuisance and areas being considered for improved drain- age facilities.
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In keeping with its forward look in Long Range Planning the Planning Board has entered four articles in the Town Warrant, as follows: Drainage, Sidewalk Construction, Services of a Civil Engineer on per diem (limited ) basis, and a Revision of the Earth Removal By-Law.
The Planning Board believing that the Town is facing what could be a run-away building spree that would send the tax rate soaring, have, in order to slow down such housing developments, requested the Zoning Committee to enter an article in the Town Warrant increasing the building lot requirements.
The Planning Board had Funds on hand at the start of the year amounting to $187.48. They have spent for Printing, Adver- tising, Postage, Stationery, Dues and Supplies, the sum of $160.35
The Planning Board recommends that the Town vote the necessary funds to purchase a suitable table, chairs, and file to furnish a newly decorated room designed for the joint use of the Planning Board, Finance Committee, and others.
Respectfully submitted,
II. EDWARD PARRY, Chairman ARTHUR STEPTOE, Secretary RUSSELL ROBERY MERTON OUDERKIRK CHARLES HILL
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Elementary School Building was basically completed at the time of school closing. The pupils assigned to the Spring Street School for the following year assisted in moving materials and sup- plies into the building during the last week of school. At that time all that remained was grading, landscaping and planting.
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On August 1st, the school was declared substantially com- pleted by the contractor. The Committee had sixty-one days in which to submit items for improvement to conform to specifica- tions. Actually, these were at a minimum and structurally the Committee feels it is giving the Town a good building.
The school was opened for classes in September, and a public open house was conducted on the afternoon and evening of Sun- day, September 9th, 1956. There were items of furnishing, educa- tional equipment, curtains etc. that were considered, but not approved by the Committee. In some instances the costs were not justified because the use or necessity of the articles could not be accurately determined at that time. In any new building there will be functional preferences that create demands or changes which will be in variance to the original planning of the school. To our knowledge these things are at a minimum and may only be deter- mined accurately by the use of the buildings.
In a preliminary accounting of funds the town accountants and the committee secretary agree on an uncommitted balance of $4,165.23. The disposition of this money is intended to be re- turned to the Treasury and will be done prior to the close of the 1957 year. This action is necessary because the complete payments are not made to the general contractor until after the due date of August 1st, 1957. Actually, this amount is added to the interest earned on the short term bonds purchased with a portion of the school building money last year and amounted to $1,224.11 which was returned to the Town Treasury.
At this time the Committee would like to express their gratitude for assistance and help on problems by town depart- ments and school personnel during the time the school was under construction.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. STEPTOE, Chairman ROGER BURRILL MERTON OUDERKIRK JOHN C. ELDRIDGE JULIAN E. LUCINI BRUCE C. SODERHOLM KARL N. MYERS
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BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report as Building Inspector for the year 1956.
Building Inspection:
Permits issued in 1956
New Dwellings
28
Alterations to dwellings
27
Other new Buildings
33
Alterations to other buildings
9
New Business Establishments
4
Alterations to Business Establishments
11
House Trailers
2
Permits issued
114
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA Building Inspector
TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1956 as Tree Warden.
Each year the problems of our town increase beyond our ability to completely keep pace with them. This is true with all departments. Occasional expressions of incompetence or politics among our Town Officials are unjustified. There is good cooper- ation among all Town Departments, and we are all striving to the utmost to serve well, to go forward with advancements in our
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varied services, to make our town an ideal place to live. Our limi- tations are the townspeople's acceptance of forward planning and their ability to pay: not a lack of progressive thinking, planning and achievement.
It should be kept in mind that our plans must be deviated many times in the course of a year to meet situations that arise from:
1. the extension of services to new areas
2. climatic conditions and changing seasons
3. biological factors affecting trees and plants
4. unforeseen emergencies which continually present them- selves
These many and varied situations call for great flexibility in our work programs, namely, the ability to put one project aside without hesitation, to take on a more urgent calling in the hope that we can return to the uncompleted project in the near future.
Tree removal this year has been the largest time-consuming job. Nine Oak, four Pine, four Rock Maples, two Willow, six Ash and two Hickory were removed and stumps cut below the level of the ground so that there would be no public hazard. The major- ity of these trees removed were suffering from injuries incurred from the 1954 hurricanes. The occurrence of ills on our shade trees from the hurricanes, will continue to show up for many years to come and while we endeavor to head off this type of work by con- centrating on what appears to be dangerous, half of the trees in- volved are overage trees and while they appear in good health, they are physically on the decline.
Besides the above mentioned removals, 113 elms were removed in the town of West Bridgewater, a large job in itself. The report of this work is contained in the report on Dutch Elm disease control.
All brush and small wood are trucked to a brush pile in the rcar of the Highway Department garage where it is burned in rainy weather. All large logs and stumps are trucked to a pit on North Elm Street where they are regularly buried.
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A new 1956 truck with platform rack body and hoist was pur- chased with funds made available by the townspeople's vote at the 1956 Town Meeting. This piece of equipment has proved very satisfactory and has been much more suited to the Tree Depart- ment's type of work than the previous 1946 dump truck. This new truck is also used in the Highway Department's work of plowing town roads whenever needed during the winter months. The 1951 pick-up is in good mechanical condition and this year was newly painted. It is equipped for emergency duty at all times. Brush cut- ting was continued on twenty-eight streets this year, coupled with the project of spraying brush with a chemical brush-killer. This project has greatly reduced the amount of brush along roadsides, besides relieving the Department of work that it can spend else- where. Many of the blind corners and curves were cleared and on some spots cut in deeper to allow motorists a safer view. The brush spraying will be continued in 1957.
Also this year, a portable generator was purchased with a high- powered, reversible drill, allowing the Department to speed up the cabling and bolting of weakened trees. This program continues throughout the year to strengthen any structural weaknesses in our highway trees. The generator and drill are also used in fertilizing trees-this is an important factor to the well-being of our trees, since all living things need food. It is my plan to increase this program a little each year, covering more territory and trees each year. In 1956, two and a half tons of fertilizer and plant food were used in this work.
The Department has one two-man saw and one one-man saw. This coming year, the Department is requesting another one-man saw, as the tremendous amount of work is difficult with only one saw. Also, I feel that we need a spare one in case of an emergency; or, if mechanical failure occurs in one saw, we can fall back on the remaining saw.
Tree pruning, removal of dead wood and "hangers" were done on many streets. This work has increased largely because of so many storm-damaged trees-another aftermath of the hurricanes. Large limbs hanging or caught up in the tops of trees present a serious danger. Climbing of each tree is necessary and often times there is no safe place for the workman while he is engaged in the removal of such limbs.
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The Department shade tree nursery is now well established and enables us to raise our entire supply of tree stock in various stages of development to provide an annual output of 60 to 90 selected trees over a ten-year period. There are over 500 trees of various species and sizes in the nursery at present, and as we draw from these for roadside planting, new small trees are added to the nursery, and by careful fertilizing, pruning and special care, in a few years these, too, have attained the size for street planting.
In closing I wish to express sincere thanks to all other Town Departments for their fine cooperation throughout the year. Also, my thanks to the workmen of my department, and their fine work and loyalty which certainly deserves praise.
Eradication of Poison Ivy
This project has continued for the past five years and it is gratifying to see the absence of Poison Ivy along our roadsides, whereas before the stone walls and trees were thickly covered with it. Poison Ivy is a serious health hazard to those susceptible to the poison, but now, with the spraying of it with the chemical 2-4-D and 2-4-5-T as the Department has done this year, next year we will spray any poison ivy that exists on private property-all we re- quire is that the townspeople contact the Tree Warden and let him know where the ivy exists on their property. Roadsides will still continue to be sprayed wherever the ivy may reappear.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN Tree Warden
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The townspeople are again reminded that they have a Town Forest of 10 acres at their disposal at the rear of the Memorial Field. The committee welcomes any use of the forest by either Boy or Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts or any other organization for their respective needs.
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This fine grove contains White Pine, White Spruce, Hemlock and Norway Pine, as well as a small pond. Many trees were lost due to the hurricane of 1954, and these should be replaced, as well as adding a few more small evergreens yearly.
All high grass and underlying brush were cut from this area during the growing season of 1956. Also, another area was cleared in order to make room for any future enlargement of the forest. Poison Ivy in various spots was sprayed with Brush Killer. All this work was done by the Tree Department. Any low-hanging and broken limbs were removed and the area in general kept tidy throughout the growing season.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN ELMER HUNT ANTONE SOUZA
INSECT PEST CONTROL DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
I hereby submit my reports for the year 1956.
For many years, this department was called the Moth Depart- ment, but in recent years our duties have increased several fold. The taxpayers now expect protective measures against tent cater- pillars, elm leaf beetles, fall webworms, wood ticks, pine and hem- lock loopers, Japanese beetles, hag moths, Gypsy moths, brown- tail moths and canker worms, all of which are under the jurisdic- tion of this department. For that reason, the name of the depart- ment has been changed.
The department this year sprayed all the roadside shade trees twice with 6% DDT; and again this year, to control the elm bark beetle, all elms were sprayed three times, once in the spring and two foliar sprays during the summer. The woods along the road-
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sides were sprayed throughout the town. All spraying was done with the mist blower and done at night when the wind current is advantageous and also, when road traffic is at a minimum.
Throughout the town at various locations, 27 Gypsy moth traps were set out in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, to check the movement of these destructive moths. They were patrolled weekly during the summer months and of these, six caught some male moths, tallying 10 moths. The area around these six traps will be sprayed in 1957 by the State to make sure the Gypsy moth population remains small.
The Eastern Tent Caterpillar and Japanese beetle were kept down along the roadsides by spraying, and in an effort to eliminate the Japanese beetle, the department released milky diseased spore powder in various sections of town. This is harmless to humans but the disease destroys the beetle grubs and reduction of the adult beetle population will come about in time.
Dutch Elm Disease Control
This disease still continues to rob our town of many of its beautiful elms. Besides the large cost of removal, the loss of the trees brings the loss of charm and character to the community. There is still no positive cure for the dread disease, but although some would like to believe the elms are completely doomed, I be- lieve that some will live through the disease. There is constant ex- perimental work being done on this disease which now extends through most of the United States, although it started here in Massachusetts in the early 1900's.
This past summer, samples from 92 suspected elms were taken and sent to the Shade Tree Laboratories at Amherst, and after analysis, found to be infected and slated for removal. Another 21 showed the disease clearly enough to warrant removal immediately. This brings the total up to 113 trees to be removed by the depart- ment this year.
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Many of these trees, because of being over utility wires and private property, required the services of skilled tree climbers. This type of work is both costly and slow-but necessary! The high cost and danger of elm removal is not yet apparent to most towns- people. All diseased elm wood is immediately burned or buried by state law to completely rid it of disease. This phase of the operation is very important since the diseased bark harbors the grub of the bark beetle, the disease carrier.
Three sprays, one dormant, of 12% DDT, and two foliar, of 6% DDT, were placed on all elms by the mist blower this year, and as many private elms were sprayed as the supply of DDT would allow. Many street elms were fertilized and limed since a healthy elm will more likely ward off the disease.
We are now fighting the Dutch Elm disease in the three rec- ommended ways: by making the trees more resistant by fertilizing, controlling the disease carrier, the Scolytus Beetle, by spraying with DDT, and by combatting the fungus that causes it by destroying all diseased wood.
It costs the taxpayers an average of $150 for each elm removed, besides the loss of a beautiful shade tree. Every dollar spent in combatting the disease is money well spent.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN Superintendent, Insect Pest Control
DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
The economic well-being of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts has been due in a large part to the great industrial poten- tial which we possess. Our large diversified pool of skilled labor, our wealth of trained, shrewd, New England-bred leaders and
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executives, and our ever-present sources of technical know-how have placed us in a high comparative position among the states industrially.
This enviable position however, is constantly put in jeopardy by our staggering tax burden, another factor in which we lead most other states. In recent times, this last factor has outweighed the great advantages of our Commonwealth, with the result that some plants have migrated, others have expanded painfully slow, and outside prospects have located in other states.
Knowing of these conditions, our Legislature set up enabling legislation to create a Department of Commerce in May 1953 to cope with industrial development problems on a statewide basis. Carrying the program to the "Grass Roots" areas, the General Court passed the Acts of 1954, Chapter 297 and Chapter 511. These Acts provided an opportunity for local communities to set up and finance operation of their own Industrial Development Agencies. These local groups, being acquainted with local advan- tages and disadvantages, could more efficiently guide the progress of present and future business and industry within town lines.
The Town of West Bridgewater today is host to about 41/2 miles of the most modern limited-access turnpike in New England. We had nothing to do with planning this event, we just happen to be in the path of a rapidly expanding automotive age. How we arrived here, doesn't matter. What we do now that we are here, is up to us.
In Massachusetts today there is a trend to industrial building along the new super-highways. It has been promoted by private in- terests with considerable assistance from state and local agencies. This trend is proving to be a stimulating injection in the life blood of our present and future economy. We need a vigorous expand- ing industrial potential to sustain our highly skilled, densely popu- lated state.
This growth trend will unfold in our direction before too long, and to insure West Bridgewater a part in the picture, the Economic and Industrial Commission was inaugurated, to work with all other departments of the Town Government, to help build and maintain a balanced equitable economy for the years ahead.
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On March 12, 1956, our Commission was authorized by a vote of the Town Meeting.
On June 18, 1956, the Commission, consisting of 5 members, was appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
On June 28, 1956, the first meeting of the Commission was held with election of officers. Meetings were to be held monthly on the last Tuesday in the Selectmen's Office at 8:00 P.M.
On July 9, 1956, the Board of Selectmen appointed 5 members to an Advisory Committee to the Development and Industrial Commission.
Eight meetings have been held to date; six of these have been combined meetings of the Commission and Advisory Com- mittee. Following are highlights of our first year of existence:
Met with Lowell Gray of the Department of Commerce to clarify functions and duties of the Commission.
Seven members of the Planning Board, Development Com- mission, Selectmen, and one layman attended conference in Whitman, at which time a resolution was adopted paving the way for establishment of the Southeastern Massachusetts Economic Conference.
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