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 27
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The Commission was represented in person or by communica- tion before the West Bridgewater Board of Appeals on Mr. Swartz, Golfland sign hearing; Tuck Manufacturing Co. sign hearing; Trav- elers Oil Company sign hearing; and the Nelson Tool Co. set-back variance hearing. The Commission feels that restrictions on signs in the business areas should be removed and jurisdiction be left to the Board of Selectmen.
Chairman Merton H. Ouderkirk, Chairman H. Edward Parry, Planning Board, and Marjorie MacDonald, Board of Selectmen, attended a hearing before the Division of Waterways, in the Public Works Building, Boston. Those attending spoke for the boards they represented in petitioning the Division for financial and en- gineering assistance on the Willow Brook Drainage Project.
5. Expansion of Business: To communicate with and wel- come all new business which moves into West Bridgewater; to con- gratulate all existing businesses which renovate, improve, or make addition to their establishments.
In the past twelve months, letters have been sent to the fol- lowing: Travelers Oil Co., Kenwood Tire Company, Tuck Manu- facturing Co., Golfland, West Bridgewater Cleansers, Rogers Ex- change, Brady's Diner, Yangtze China Inn, all new ventures; Com- ponent Manufacturing Co., two additions; Crowley's Store, ren- ovation and remodeling; W. B. Branch of Bridgewater Savings Bank, new building and location; Nelson Tool Co., addition.
6. Educational Activity: To attend all activities, meetings, conferences, and exhibitions that will help to keep Commission members informed and abreast of current knowledge and new concepts.
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Several members attended The New England New Products, New Methods, New Patents Exhibition, Commonwealth Armory, Boston.
At the Someco Mosquito Conference in Bridgewater, our town had the largest representation of all fifty towns present.
We attended the Southeastern Massachusetts Economic Work Conference in Kingston where our local representatives were prom- inent in presenting a revised set of By-laws for governing the organization.
7. Projects: To compile information, make surveys, and equip ourselves with as much knowledge of the Town of West Bridgewater as possible.
Compiled a West Bridgewater Business Directory which is available at a nominal fee at the W. B. Branch Bank, and at the Town Clerk's Office.
We are now constructing a map of the industrial areas ad- jacent to the Amvets Memorial Highway.
We are also planning an exhibit in the Home Show Building which has been made available to the Southeastern Mass. Economic Conference for an Industrial and Community Development Show open to each city and town in Southeastern Massachusetts.
In carrying out the aims we have had 16 joint meetings of the Development Commission and the Advisory Committee. We now share the Conference Room in the upper Town Hall with the Plan- ning Board and the Finance Committee. We wish to thank the Board of Selectmen for the fine job of fixing up this room which gives the three Boards a comfortable, pleasant place to meet and work.
Respectfully submitted,
Advisory Committee
Development & Industrial Comm.
George V. Hollertz
Merton H. Ouderkirk, Chairman
Francis LeBaron
Herbert S. Gordon, Secretary
Leon F. Beaulieu
DeSales Heath
William W. Phillips
Lawrence Moneghan
William R. May
Frank S. Miller
64 FIRE DEPARTMENT
JU 6-3232 - Emergency JU 6-4137 - Business
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the West Bridge- water Fire Department for the year 1957.
PERSONNEL
One Chief, One Deputy Chief, Three Captains, Three Lieu- tenants, Twenty-five Firefighters, 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. Twelve years old.
Engine No. 1. Seagrave Combination with 750 gallon pump built to specifications, five years old.
Engine No. 2. Buffalo Diamond T. Combination with 500 gallon pump, twenty years old.
Emergency Truck 1. Built by members of the Fire Depart- ment, materials and labor donated by individual citizens at no cost to the town. Fully equipped for first aid and rescue work it was put into use in 1955.
One 2500 Watt U.S. Generator lighting plant.
One G.E. Main Radio Station.
Three G.E. Mobile Radio receivers and transmitters mounted on fire apparatus.
One Portable Radio receiver and transmitter mounted on Emergency Truck.
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One New Type B Fire Alarm Air Horn.
One fifteen foot rescue boat, equipped with motor and trailer, purchased in 1956.
ALARMS ANSWERED
Grass and Woodland fires (541/2 acres)
40
Man-hole
1
Resuscitator calls
3
Aid-out-of-Town Fires
11
Aid call-out-of-Town drowning
1
Automobiles, trucks and tractors
8
Frame Buildings 29
Aid to Police-Automobile accidents, etc.
9
Electric Power wires
3
Dumps and Rubbish
7
False and Smoke Scares
8
Total Alarms 120
In performing its duties during the year 1957 the Fire ap- paratus has traveled 1483 miles; operated at fires a total of 2781/2 hours; laid a total of 8650 feet of Booster hose; 18,300 feet of 11/8" Forestry hose; 1450 feet of 11/2" hose; 3650 feet of 21/2" hose and raised a total of 670 feet of ladders.
PERMITS ISSUED
Open Air Fires 1140
Oil Burners and Oil Storage
211
Bottle Gas, Explosives and Misc.
93
Complaints
191
Investigations
227
NOTICE
Permits MUST be obtained from the Fire Department for all open-air fires.
INSPECTIONS
Inspections of Schools, Public Buildings and Private Enter- prises are made periodically. Recommendations of alterations in
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various buildings were made, and carried out. "No Smoking" signs were posted where required by law.
ATTENTION
To keep fire loss small, CALL YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY upon discovering a fire in a building, grass or woodland.
AGAIN, I am recommending in the 1958 appropriation the purchase of a Forest Fire Truck with four-wheel-drive, known as a Brush Breaker Truck, for better protection of our woodland. I also wish to stress the point that the long-range plans, as sub- mitted last year, should be given serious consideration, for the general welfare of the Town.
For better protection, I recommend that our Fire Station be manned 24 hours a day in the near future.
During the year the Department held thirty-one drills under the direction of Capt. Richard Keith, drill-master, with a better than 80 percent of members in attendance. Drills included use of equipment and appliances by every member, so that each would be thoroughly familiar with all phases of firefighting. It is highly important in a "call" department that every man is adequately trained in all capacities-of fighting fires and of rescue work. In re- gard to the latter phase, a refresher course in first aid was conducted. Handling of chemical fires were the features of several drills, with departments of neighboring towns and of Brockton invited to at- tend and participate.
Firefighters were instrumental in procuring and distributing Tele-caps to residents of the town, each printed with the emergency telephone numbers of the Fire and Police Departments. (Red and Blue network).
The rescue wagon has proved its worth many times; in provid- ing resuscitator service, use of special equipment in traffic accidents and providing emergency lighting.
During the Plymouth fire emergency in May, the Department sent apparatus over a period of four days. Combination 1 and En-
67
gine 1 were used with all firefighters making up the crews at some time during the fire menace. West Bridgewater was reimbursed financially through special legislation. Filling in at the home sta- tion were men and apparatus from Mansfield, Easton and Rayn- ham; once again proving the great value of the Mutual-Aid system.
West Bridgewater Firefighters Association meets the first Monday of each month and Thomas Hunt is the current Associa- tion president. A joint project of the Fire and Police Associations was installation of Christmas decorations at the combination station.
I would like at this time to thank the men of the Department and public-spirited citizens for their co-operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA, Fire Chief
BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report as Building Inspector for the year 1957.
Building Inspection:
Permits issued in 1957
New Dwellings
26
New Garages
19
Other New Buildings
10
New Business Establishments 5
Alteration to Dwellings
32
Alteration to Other Buildings
24
Alteration to Mfg. Plants
3
Alteration to Business Establishments 6
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Moved Buildings House Trailers
1
2
Permits issued 128
I believe that the proposed new building code as set up by the committee will be of over-all benefit to the Town if accepted at the annual March meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA, Building Inspector
PLANNING BOARD
Report for year ending December 31, 1957. The Planning Board has completed its fourth year of operation.
The Planning Board meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the second floor conference room of the Town Hall. During the year there were twenty-eight meetings of the committee. There were twenty-five Subdivision Applications re- viewed and acted upon. Twenty-one of these were approved. Seven- teen applications for Soil Removal were inspected by a field party of Planning Board members and Selectmen. A written report with recommendations was submitted with each application. The Plan- ning Board was opposed to issuing permits on five of the seventeen because it couldn't be shown where it would be to the best interest of the town for future use of the land in question.
The Zoning Law changes voted at the Annual Town Meeting in March on Trailer, Increased Lot Size, and Sand & Gravel Reg- ulations were approved by the Attorney General. The regulations have been officially accepted by the town and are on file with the Plymouth County Land Court.
69
Our town was represented at two hearings at the State Division of Water Ways to be officially recorded on Town Drainage Prob- lems. Assistance in our drainage problem has been officially re- quested through the Selectmen. In the meantime difinitive plans of Willow Brook and the tributaries to the town line have been made. All abutters are being contacted for easements on their land for this very worthwhile improvement. Sections of Willow Brook have been cleared by town labor and show exceptional results in re- ducing flooding during excessively heavy rain storms.
Planning Board recommendations presented in eight articles in the town warrant are: Drainage, Sidewalk Construction, Services of a Civil Engineer on a per diem (limited) basis, the establish- ment of a separate Board of Health, and four amendments to the Zoning By-Law.
Respectfully submitted,
H. EDWARD PARRY, Chairman ARTHUR W. STEPTOE, Secretary RUSSELL ROBERY MERTON OUDERKIRK CHARLES HILL
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
The final accounting with the School Building Assistance Commission remains to be done as one of the final activities of this committee.
At the present time the Building is completed and final pay- ment has been made to the General Contractor with the exception of an amount sufficient to cover the cost of minor site improvement work at the rear of the buildings. This work is scheduled to be done in the Spring as soon as possible.
70
Mr. Karl Myers, a former member of this committee, moved out of town during the year. It was voted that a replacement would not be necessary because the remaining activities of the committee are at a minimum.
The Elementary Building Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the School Department personnel, Mr. Merrill, Mr. Sperandio, and Mr. Hagglund during the planning and con- struction of the school. It is with a great deal of satisfaction that we are able to report that the job is completed within the original appropriation voted at the special town meeting in September of 1954.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. STEPTOE, Chairman BRUCE C. SODERHOLM, Secretary ROGER BURRILL MERTON OUDERKIRK JOHN C. ELDRIDGE JULIAN E. LUCINI
TREE WARDEN
To the citizens of West Bridgewater:
I hereby submit my annual report as Tree Warden for the year 1957.
Within the past year 1957, the regular program of tree work, trimming, pruning, storm damage repair, and removal of dead and dangerous trees was carried on. Each successive year, more and more of our town shade trees are becoming victims of disease and decay because of old age and of dry seasons we have had. This fact has caused more of our trees to be removed each year, coupled along with the fact also that many elms yearly continue to contract the Dutch Elm Disease and must be destroyed. Of trees removed
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this year, there were three oak, two pine, seven maple, one Locust, one Buttonwood and one Hornbeam.
Besides the above-mentioned removals, 92 elms were removed in the town of West Bridgewater. The report of this work is con- tained in the report of Dutch Elm Disease Control.
To replace our yearly loss and looking forward to future gen- erations, it is the department's aim to set out from the Town Shade Tree Nursery, as many small public shade trees as time and season will permit. This past season, because of the terrific drought, very few were set out. In the spring of 1958, this work will again be undertaken. Many new homes in the town are without shade trees along their streets, an item which this department hopes to elim- inate as soon as time and labor permit. At the Town Nursery, we now have over 500 small shade trees of various varieties and in va- rious stages of growth. This past year, the department cleared and broke up ground making room for additional nursery stock to be started at the nursery.
Cabling, bracing and surgery were performed on many trees; storms with high winds of almost hurricane force at times have raised havoc, making this work necessary. Any trees damaged be- yond repair were removed in the interests of public safety.
Brush control along our roads and streets for clearer vision of motorists has now become a very small item since we have sprayed the roadsides the past few years with brush killer. It is very gratify- ing to see roadside areas now clear where once, each year it was necessary to cut and haul away the scrub growth there.
Many of the fire lanes and woods roads were widened and cleared of brush by the department so that in case of forest fires in those areas, a clear access could be made to them by fire apparatus and personnel.
PERSONNEL
This past year, Oscar Swanson, because of ill health, retired after many years of fine service to the town. He served since the early 40's with the Forestry Department and previous to that, with various other departments of the own. He was a very willing worker
72
and friendly with all. It is hoped that he will enjoy many happy and contented years of retirement.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for cooperation and help from the various town departments and agencies and from the elected and appointed officials. To be a part of the operation and function of the town of West Bridge- water is a source of much personal satisfaction.
Finally, I wish to express my appreciation of the sincere efforts and support from the workers of the Forestry Department.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS B. MacQUINN, Tree Warden
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
In 1957, the Forestry Department cut all underlying brush in the forest as well as low-hanging branches and deadwood in the pines. Some trees were cut down to allow the remaining trees more growing space. Poison ivy, which seems to predominate everywhere, was also sprayed with Brush Killer to eradicate this health menace.
The fine grove of the forest contains in its ten acres White Pine, White Spruce, Hemlock and Norway Pine, as well as a small pond. This pond in the middle of the grove was cleared of all un- sightly grass, etc., this past summer and during the winter months, this forms an ideal skating area for the small children as it is fairly shallow and safe. This summer, this pond was completely dried up for the first time in many years.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
An area east and north of the present forest was thinned out of all unnecessary trees and low brush, leaving strong, straight trees. This section is now available for the future planting of small pines, spruce or hemlock.
This forest can, in the future, be made into an attractive pic- nic ground and recreational area with a little labor and expense. The Boy and Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies, and all other organ- izations are cordially invited by the committee to use the forest for their respective needs.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN ELMER HUNT ANTONE SOUSA Town Forest Committee
DUTCH ELM DISEASE CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the report of Dutch Elm Disease Control for 1957.
At the present time, with Dutch Elm Disease on the increase in most surrounding towns, it is gratifying to know that this town has a decrease in elm removals this year over last year. Last year during the removal program of the department, 133 diseased town elms were cut down and destroyed. This year only 92 will have to be removed, many of these over a century old. Elms, as well as other varieties, went through one of the driest seasons on record, making them highly susceptible to all diseases and insects.
Along the town's roads and streets, elms comprise approxi- mately forty percent of the public shade trees with nearly three
74
times that many on private property. At present, there is no known cure for the elm disease so that prevention measures of prompt re- moval of diseased trees and the proper use of a dormant spray are our only hopes of saving the remaining elms.
During the spring of 1957, all town elms and private elms which could be reached by the mist blower received a dormant spray of 12 percent DDT followed by two foliar sprays during the summer months of a 6 percent DDT solution. All elms which showed signs of a yellow wilt were sampled and these samples sent to the Shade Trees Laboratories at Amherst where they were proc- essed to determine whether the tree had Dutch Elm Disease or other disease.
During the Fall and Spring, fertilizing and liming of elms were done to aid the trees to withstand the effects of the disease. This program has been hastened by the use of the earth boring bar which is attached to the portable generator. It is suggested that private elm owners do the same operation on their elms, since many of the older elms are not finding enough food in the soil under natural conditions to keep them in a healthy state.
All wood removed from diseased elms must by State Law either be buried or burned immediately. This phase of the sanitation oper- ation is a most important one since the diseased bark harbors the grubs of the Elm Bark beetle, the disease carrier.
In conclusion, I feel that we will continue to lose elms each scar until such time as a cure or preventive is found. In the mean- time we should do our utmost to save our remaining elms, not only for their own grace and beauty but to partially shade and protect the small trees which we should plant to replace the trees lost. However, the Dutch Elm Disease has brought about increased pub- lic interest in shade trees. If we can save half of our remaining elms, all the money spent in trying has not been wasted.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN, Superintendent of Insect Pest Control
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INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year 1957.
Protective measures against tent caterpillars, elm leaf beetles, elm bark beetles, fall web worms, wood ticks, pine and hemlock loopers, Japanese beetles, Hag moths, gypsy moths, brown tail moths, and canker worms are handled by the town's Insect Pest Control department.
In addition to the foregoing insects, the serious problem of Dutch Elm disease now has been facing us for a number of years. Each year, manufacturers bring forth more efficient and more powerful insecticides. Your superintendent has been keeping him- self well informed in the use and safe application of these newer insecticides by attending conferences and meetings of allied organ- izations throughout the year. Many of these insecticides cannot be used safely because of danger to the public.
A dormant spray of 12 percent DDT was applied in the early spring to elms alone for the control of the Scolytus beetle. All road- side trees received a foliar application of 6 percent. DDT with a miticide being added to the second foliar spray to control mites which appear on leaves during the summer months. In 1958, Mala- thion, one of the newer insecticides, will be used in conjunction with DDT.
As much spraying as possible was done at night, since at that time, wind is at a minimum just as automobile traffic is. The pub- lic has been most helpful but some cars still remain parked under street trees during the spraying season. In 1958, the department is requesting a new mist blower, trading in the 1952 model towards payment for the new one. The older model has been improved upon greatly with more efficiency; also, the 1952 model is at the point where repair bills for it will yearly become necessary.
Twenty-seven Gypsy moth traps, supplied by the U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture were again set out on various wooded areas
76
throughout the town and patrolled weekly during the summer months. This is to determine yearly whether there has been any re- infestation of this leaf-damaging moth in this section. This moth was almost eliminated by a county-wide aerial spray program in 1950. During the trapping season, only three traps caught one male moth each proving that there is still a good control of this moth.
This year, the department, in conjunction with the Board of Health, supervised the application of three aerial sprays for the con- trol of mosquitoes. These sprayings proved most effective.
Poison Ivy Eradication
Poison Ivy is widely distributed and a serious health menace to those susceptible to its poison. With the plant being almost completely killed along the roadsides, the department now is going deeper in on private property. By State Law, towns and cities are allowed to proceed 100 feet or more on private property to spray poison ivy. All the department asks is that the land owner contact the superintendent and inform him of the location of the ivy.
The two hormone-like materials, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T are used and applied as an overall spray during the hot, summer months. These are the same materials used to kill brush along the roadsides. Yearly, a close check is kept on our roadsides to determine any re- occurrence of ivy there and if so, spot spraying of such is done.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MacQUINN, Superintendent of Insect Pest Control
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The Welfare Department underwent many changes in Ad- ministration, namely: increase in basic costs, exemptions to chil- dren, and methods of payments to all vendors. The changes are re- flected mostly in the Old Age Assistance program.
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Expenditures and receipts were:
1956
1957
General Relief
$9,436.68
$5,029.83
Old Age Assistance
59,613.02
63,948.47
Aid to Dependent Children
2,961.78
2,296.61
Disability Assistance
8,993.65
6,355.30
Total Expense
81,005.13
77,630.21
Total Receipts
61,276.07
64,687.18
Net Expense to Town
$19,729.07 $12,943.03
WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman H. ROY HARTSHORN MARJORIE E. MacDONALD Board of Public Welfare A. M. DEAN Welfare Agent
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Total appropriations at Annual Town Meeting,
March 11, 1957
$733,038.73
Other amounts to be raised
48,446.11
Total appropriations since 1956 Tax Rate was fixed
781,484.84
State Parks and Reservations Tax
1,678.41
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,105.75
County Tax, 1957
16,968.60
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
9,305.20
810,542.80
Overlay
10,978.28
Total Amount to be raised
$821,521.08
Less: Total Estimated Receipts
283,099.15
538,421.93
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Less: Amounts taken from Available Funds 77,648.48
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxes on Polls and Property
$460,773.45
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons, Partnerships, Corporations, etc.,
assessed:
On Personal Estate only
21
On Real Estate only
1,327
On both Personal and Real Estate
115
Total number assessed
1,463
Number of Polls assessed
1,417
Value of Assessed Personal Estate:
Stock in Trade
50,800.00
Machinery
66,150.00
Live Stock
10,655.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property
392.025.00
Total Value of Assessed Personal Estate
$519,630.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate:
Land
1,023,752.00
Buildings
5,501,825.00
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate
$6,525,577.00
Total Value of All Assessed Property
$7,045,207.00
Tax Rate per $1000
65.00
Tax for all purposes spread as follows:
On Polls
2,834.00
On Personal Property
33,775.95
On Real Estate
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