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 53
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b. All refuse shall be stored in flytight, watertight, rodent-proof containers, which shall be located not more than 150 feet from any trailer-coach space. They shall be provided in sufficient number and capacity to prevent any refuse from overflowing.
c. Racks or holders shall be provided for all refuse containers. Such container racks or holders shall be so designed as to prevent containers from being tipped, to minimize spillage and container deterioration, and to facilitate cleaning around them.
d. All garbage shall be collected at least twice weekly. Rub- bish shall be collected frequently enough to prevent it from over- flowing available containers. Where suitable collection service is not available from municipal or private agencies, the trailer-court operator shall provide this service. All refuse shall be collected and transported in covered vehicles or covered containers.
e. Where collection service is not available, the trailer-court operator shall dispose of the court refuse by incineration, burial, or transporting to an approved disposal site.
f. Garbage shall be buried only at a place authorized by the Board of Health, and shall have a minimum of 12 inches of com- pacted earth cover placed over it.
g. Incinerators shall be constructed only with the approval of the State and local Board of Health. Such approval shall be based on a review of the plans and specifications for such incinerators and approval of the site where they will be located. Such approval shall specify the type of material which may be placed in the incinerators.
h. Incinerators shall be fired only when attended by some person specifically authorized by the owner or operator of the trailer court.
i. Trash incinerators shall not be used for the disposal of garbage.
Section 19. Fuel
Liquified petroleum gas for cooking purposes shall not be used at individual trailer-coach spaces unless the containers are properly
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connected by copper or other suitable metallic tubing. Liquified petroleum gas cylinders shall be securely fastened in place, and shall be adequately protected from the weather. No cylinder containing liquified petroleum gas shall be located in a trailer coach, nor within 5 feet of a door thereof.
Section 20. Fire Protection
a. The court area shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Commonwealth and the Chief of the Fire Department.
b. Trailer-court areas shall be kept free of litter, rubbish, and other flammable materials.
c. Portable fire extinguishers of a type approved by the fire- prevention authority shall be kept in service buildings and in all other locations named by such fire-prevention authority, and shall be maintained in good operating condition.
d. Where a public water system is available to the trailer court, standard fire hydrants shall be located within 400 feet of each trailer coach.
e. Fires shall be made only in stoves, incinerators, and other equipment intended for such purposes.
Section 21. Alterations and Additions; Restriction of Animals and Pets
a. No permanent additions of any kind shall be built onto, nor become a part of any trailer coach. Skirting of coaches is permis- sible, but such skirting shall not attach the coach permanently to the ground, provide a harborage for rodents, or create a fire hazard.
b. The wheels of the coach shall not be removed, except tem- porarily when necessary for repairs. Jacks or stabilizers may be placed under the frame of the coach to prevent movement on the springs while the coach is parked and occupied.
c. No owner or person in charge of a dog, cat, or other pet animal shall permit it to run at large, or to commit any nuisance within the limits of any trailer court.
Section 22. Registration of Occupants; Reporting of Communicable Diseases
a. Every trailer-court owner or operator shall maintain a regis- ter containing a record of all trailer coaches and occupants using the trailer court. Such register shall be available to any authorized person inspecting the court, and shall be preserved for the period
73
required by the Board of Health. Such register shall contain (1) the names and addresses of all trailer-coach occupants stopping in the court, (2) the make, model, and license number of each motor vehicle and trailer coach, (3) the State, territory, or county issuing the trailer license, and (4) the dates of arrival and departure of each trailer coach.
b. Every owner, operator, attendant, or other person operating a trailer court shall notify the Board of Health immediately of any suspected communicable or contagious disease within the trailer court. In the case of diseases diagnosed by a physician as quarantin- able, such owner, operator, attendant, or other person operating a trailer court shall not permit the departure of a trailer coach or its occupants, or the removal therefrom of clothing or other articles which have been exposed to infection, without approval of said Board.
Section 23. Conflict of Ordinances or By-Laws; Effect of Partial Invalidity
In any case where a provision of this By-Law is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety or health ordinance or By-Law of the Town of West Bridgewater, or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts existing on the effective date of this By-Law, the provisions which, in the judgment of the Board of Health, establishes the higher standard for the protection and promotion of the health and safety of people shall prevail.
Section 24. Expansion
The requirements of this By-Law shall apply to the extension or expansion of any trailer coach park in operation in the town at the time of the adoption of this By-Law.
Section 25. Penalty for Violation
Whosoever violates any provision of this By-Law, or of the Laws of the Commonwealth affecting same, shall be subject to such penalties as may be prescribed by the General Laws of the Com- monwealth for the time being in force. Each day during which a violation continues, shall for the purpose of enforcing this By-Law, be considered a separate offense.
Section 26. Validity
The invalidity of any section or provision of this By-Law shall not affect the validity of any other section or provision thereof.
74 VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT
I have the honor to submit the following report of my first year as Veteran's Agent. My appointment was effective February 1, 1959. During the year 30 veterans were assisted, ranging from emergency food and fuel authorizations for veterans temporarily indigent, to hospitalizations costing hundreds of dollars. On De- cember 31, 1959 ten veterans were receiving assistance on a per- manent basis.
Three veterans were assisted in obtaining disability pensions from the Veterans Administration. Two veterans were assisted in being admitted to a Veterans Administration hospital on an emergency basis.
Three veterans who had been injured on the job were assisted during their period of incapacity when payments under workmens' compensation law did not meet their minimum budget require- ments. In cases where permanent injury is sustained and a lump sum payment is decreed by the Industrial Accident Board, an assignment is executed with the veteran which provides that benefits paid to such injured veterans will be returned to the Town when the case is settled. One return of several hundred dollars was received during the year and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Funeral expenses of one indigent veteran were paid by the Town, but the State, the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration eventually will return the major portion of this cost to the Town Treasurer.
Where the parent of a veteran is receiving benefits, and also is the owner of real estate, a recent law provides that a lien be enacted on this property. Upon the sale of such real estate, benefits paid to the parent from the date of the lien will revert to the Town. This law does not apply to veterans themselves, nor to their widows.
Benefits paid by this department are based on a standard minimum budget. All types of income, social security, retirement, VA pensions, etc., are deductible from the minimum budget.
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Cases are continually checked by your agent and by the state officials to determine any change in financial status, or possibly to uncover unreported resources. During 1959 two cases were ter- minated for this reason, with the resultant saving to the Town.
Slightly over $700 was returned to the Town Treasurer by this department for the reasons stated above. In addition, of course, the State returns to the Town one-half of all properly authorized expenditures.
ROGER H. BURRILL
Veteran's Agent
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Tested scales under 100 lbs.
27
Tested scales over 100 lbs.
6
Tested weights
27
Tested dairy tanks
2
Tested gasoline pumps
34
Package reweighing
48
WARREN A. TURNER
Sealer
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
TRUSTEES
ELECTED
TERM EXPIRES
Allen B. Foye
1957
1960
Dorothy Freeman*
1957
1960
Anna Howe
1958
1961
Stanley Carlson
1958
1961
Jessie M. Anderson
1959
1962
Kenneth Buker
1959
1962
* Resigned December 1959
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ORGANIZATION
Chairman Secretary
Kenneth Buker
Treasurer
Jessie M. Anderson Anna Howe
BOOK COMMITTEE
Jessie Anderson
Stanley Carlson
Kenneth Buker Anna Howe
MAINTENANCE
Allen B. Foye
The Trustees of the Public Library have held four meetings during the year 1959.
The first meeting was an organizational meeting at which time Kenneth Buker was elected chairman of the board, Anna Howe was elected treasurer and Dorothy Freeman was elected secretary.
The trustees met with the Library Survey Committee and discussed the possibility of using the Town Hall, or the front unused school building as a future library. The trustees met again with this committee at the above mentioned school and the library to compare the relative floor space of both buildings. No action was taken at this time.
The library's book collection, although unusually good for a town of this size, cannot be used advantageously because of inadequate space.
The board received with regret the resignations of Winfield Leavitt and Dorothy Freeman. Their conscientious and continued interest in the library will be missed.
The library continues to be an efficient, friendly and helpful center under the direction of the new staff: Mrs. Hazel Fletcher, head librarian and Mrs. Vivian Bassett, assistant librarian.
We urge you all to use and enjoy your library.
Respectfully submitted
for the Trustees,
JESSIE M. ANDERSON
Secretary
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To the Trustees of the West Bridgewater Public Library:
Report of the year ending December 31, 1959.
This year a new era has started at the Public Library with Mrs. Hazel Fletcher as Librarian and Mrs. Vivian Bassett as Assistant Librarian. Miss Anne Kundzicz, High School senior, is ably doing the part time work. Mr. Roy Fletcher remains as custodian.
On Sunday afternoon, January 11, 1959 the Trustees and Selectmen honored Miss Jean Murdock, Librarian for the past 31 years, with a tea and informal reception in the Congregational-Uni- tarian Church Vestry. Many people in this area, who have come seeking information at the Library, and who know Miss Murdock well, came to pay her tribute on her retirement. Mr. Winfield Leavitt, chairman of Trustees, presented Miss Murdock with a purse of money and the Selectmen presented an award of merit. Refreshments were served from a prettily decorated buffet table as Mrs. Edna Curtis and Mrs. Harold Lyon served tea and coffee. Mrs. Anna Howe, a Trustee, was hostess chairman, assisted by teachers of the elementary school and library staff.
The Town is still growing because we have had 130 new juvenile names and 43 new adult borrowers. Our circulation remains well over the 20,000 mark and the school circulation grows because the lower grades are using more Library books for their book reports. One sixth Grade of thirty-five read at least five books and eight received their State Certificate for reading twenty books during the year.
This year under Inter-Library loan 35 books for courses of study and technical classes have been borrowed. We borrow these books because they would not circulate often enough to keep them on our own shelves.
The Staff attended both meetings of the Old Colony Library Club. The June meeting at the new children's room at the Milton Library, and in November at the Quincy Library. At both meetings valuable information and new trends in books and library material were discussed for the benefit of small Libraries.
In February books were displayed for reading, taken from lists, sent us for the annual Catholic Book Week.
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In April the National Book Week took place. Two 6th grades featured nature books; the girls making dish gardens and the boys made bird houses that the Library had on display during book week. The Library Trustees gave a Bird book and a Flower book to the boy and girl having the most attractive exhibits.
Approximately 125 old and worn books were discarded during the year making room for later editions and replacements on our shelves. It is more practical to buy a new copy of a book than it is to repair it, in our small Library, because repair material is expensive.
Under improvements the Library had a gift of money from the K. A. Club and we had a three shelf bookcase made to fit under one of the West windows. It makes more room, for the time being, to display our sports and science books.
During Children's Book Week, in November, new books were on display and several teachers brought their classes in to have the catalogue system explained and how to use our encyclopedias.
Through the year we have had some valuable historical books given to the Library, also, an autograph by Henry W. Longfellow, from Reverend and Mrs. Warren Goddard.
Mrs. Ernest Robinson, in breaking up her home here, has given the Library several reference books belonging to her late husband, former Superintendent of Schools, Ernest Robinson.
We, at the Library, thank our Trustees for their co-operation and for the thoughtfulness of our patrons.
Respectfully submitted,
HAZEL C. FLETCHER
Librarian
STATISTICS 1959 School Circulation
Elementary Fiction 1471
Elementary Non Fiction 1558
Total Elementary 3029
PUBLIC LIUKANY
79
Secondary Fiction
1544
Secondary Non Fiction
1049
Total Secondary
2593
Total Elementary
3029
Total Secondary
2593
Total School
5622
Circulation
Adult Fiction
8742
Adult Non Fiction
2737
Juvenile Fiction
6191
Juvenile Non Fiction
1955
Magazines
2127
Total
21,601
Books Purchased
Adult
338
Juvenile
159
Total
497
REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
We, the Water Commissioners and Superintendent of the Town of West Bridgewater, respectfully submit our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1959.
During the year a total of 111,270,845 gallons of water was pumped. This is a daily average of 304,851 gallons; a weekly average of 2,139,823 gallons, and a monthly average of 9,272,570 gallons. The greatest amount pumped on any one day was 592,308 gallons on August 8; and the highest month was August with 10,605,756 gallons pumped. As the figures show with the normal growth and additional modern conveniences the gallons being pumped are still steadily increasing. This year's total is approximately 6 million gallons more than any previous year.
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There were 18 analyses of our town's drinking water made during the year by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As usual all reports were most satisfactory showing highly acceptable quality and much greater freedom from bacterial elements.
A total of 27 new services were installed, and there were 22 old services renewed. We have sealed an additional 171 meters. There were 271 service calls made for meter removal or installation and for house service calls. We had 10 main breaks and 5 frozen meters. We have repaired 130 broken meters. There were a total of 465 hours of overtime spent on emergency calls and maintenance and 65 new service charts were recorded.
January and February the department was plagued with several frozen lines and breaks due to the severe cold spell.
In January, contracts were awarded to build the new pumping station. Due to severe cold weather and depth of frost the building lagged behind schedule but by July 30th we were able to pump water from our new well and into our own system. This gives us a minimum increase of 640 gallons per minute which is almost double our present pumping capacity. When it was necessary to meet a peak demand this summer we met the occasion without any strain. For now, we can pump approximately 1,350,000 gallons in a twenty-four hour period. We have pumped 38,547,485 gallons of water out of the new well this year. After a few small incidentals are taken care of we hope to run a final pumping test. If the test proves satisfactory we will then accept the station if approved by the Engineers.
Prior to cleaning we had to locate and stake out all curb shut offs from Central Square to Elm Square and from Cyr Street on Matfield Street to Belmont Street; along Belmont Street to Plain Street and to the Brockton line. All residents were notified that the water would be shut off for certain hours and that the department would do their best to inconvenience them as little as possible. A distance of 3,635 feet on West Center and 5,962 feet in the Matfield Area was cleaned twice to make sure that all tubercular matter was removed. Tests were made before and after cleaning with very satisfying results. We would like to thank those people for bearing with us during this project which was very inconvenient
81
for all those in that area. With such understanding and co-oper- ation it makes a very messy job easier to cope with.
We have trimmed the brush around the water tank and around the old station. We also cut down the trees to make room for power lines, poles, and a new road to the new station.
We worked along with the highway department on Chapter 90 project by raising and resetting curb and gate boxes on West Center, River, and North Elm Streets. A main gate on West Center and Ellis Ave. was dug up and repacked, also one on North Elm Street near Prospect Street. We laid in a 6 inch drain from the water tank to a drain on North Elm Street to take care of any water that should overflow. The new 8 inch line with all necessary gates, boxes, hydrants and service connections were installed on Highland Avenue due to a new road construction program.
This year 5 additional hydrants were added to the system, 1 on East Street, 1 on Manley Street, 1 at the new station, and 2 on Highland Avenue. This year 4 hydrants which were leaking were repaired and 1 that lost a battle with an automobile was replaced. All hydrants have been checked and rechecked prior to cold weather. We put reflective tape on hydrants to make them easier to locate at night and in the winter but we have had a little gremlin trouble in keeping it on some hydrants.
Cement posts with connecting wire cables have replaced the wooden ones at the well field. We have replaced 10 panes of glass at the station due to vandalism.
We have closely followed the activities of the Southeastern Massachusetts Water District Commission during the year and other legislation affecting water department problems both at the State House and in Washington. We have also studied closely and have been in contact with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Water Resources Commission. The board has also been in contact with the American Water Works Association, New England Water Association, Massachusetts Water Works Association and other organizations that strive for safer and better water; also to help the department in our future planning for a better system for your protection and future service.
At this time we would like to thank the Police Department
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in contacting us when help was required by our customers and constantly checking our station, Mr. Berglund and his department for their co-operation during our emergencies, Mr. MacQuinn and his department for their excellent co-operation, the Fire Department for the loan of their pumper during our cleaning process, and everyone who has co-operated with us, though times have been trying when cleaning of mains was taking place and when breaks occurred resulting in shut downs and rusty water. It has been our pleasure to serve you in the past and we will continue to do so in the future to the best of our ability.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD ASACK, Chairman WILLIAM CROWLEY JOHN NOYES WILLIAM NICKERSON,
Superintendent
CIVILIAN DEFENSE NURSE CORPS
To the Selectmen of the Town of West Bridgewater:
The Civilian Defense Nurse Corps of West Bridgewater has met several times during the year with the members of the Fire Department for instruction in First Aid Technique taught by Mr. Clinton Pendleton, Safety Engineer of the New England Electric System. Rescue work and various methods of resuscitation were reviewed.
A film showing the latest accepted method of mouth-to- mouth resuscitation was shown to the group. Arrangements were then made to show this important film to the P.T.A. groups and to the general public in the Fall.
Practice sessions were also held with Mr. Richard Keith giving instruction on the operation of the respirator.
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A lecture was also attended by the Corps in connection with the Fire Department in the care and treatment of burns.
Some members of the C. D. Nurse Corps are currently on call for emergency work for the Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. KENNETH L. (JEANNE) BUKER, R.N.
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
1959 Public Welfare Department expenditures show an increase over 1958 because of heavy medicals and outside aid. Lien and individual collections were exceptionally good in 1959.
Sec. 2 of Chapter 118B of General Laws is amended so that the Welfare Agent shall now perform her duties under the title of Director of Public Assistance.
Comparative figures for expenditures and receipts for current and past years were:
Expense
1956 $81,005.13 61,276.07
1957 $77,630.21 64,687.18
1958 $78,202.01 68,877.18
1959 $84,496.25 71,582.12
Receipts
Net expense to Town
$19,729.06 $12,943.03 $ 9,324.83 $12,914.13
WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman H. ROY HARTSHORN MARJORIE MacDONALD Board of Public Welfare
A. M. DEAN
Director of Public Assistance
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BUILDING INSPECTOR
I hereby submit my report as Building Inspector for the year 1959.
Building Inspection:
Permits issued in 1959
New Dwellings
23
New Garages
20
New Business Establishments
6
Other New Buildings
10
Alterations to Business Establishments
17
Alterations to Other Buildings
20
Alterations to Dwellings
43
House Trailers
2
Pumping Station
1
Building Moved
2
Buildings taken down
27
Total permits issued 171
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA Building Inspector
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Emergency Calls Only - JU 6-3232 Business Calls Only - JU 6-4137
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith the annual report of the West Bridgewater Fire Department for the year 1959.
PERSONNEL
One Chief, One Deputy Chief, Three Captains, Three Lieu- tenants, Twenty-five Firefighters, One Alarm Operator, One Elec- trician, Five Deputy Forest Wardens.
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APPARATUS
Three Engines complete, one Combination complete, and one Emergency Truck.
ALARMS ANSWERED
Resuscitator Aid to Police, and Misc.
30
Frame Buildings 31
Wood, Grass, Dump and Rubbish
48
Auto, Truck and Tractor
10
Aid out of Town, Fires
3
122
PERMITS ISSUED
Open Air Fires
1420
Oil Burners and Storage
137
NOTICE
Permits MUST be obtained from Fire Department for all open air fires.
Complaints received
217
Investigations
243
INSPECTIONS
Inspections of Schools, Public Buildings, Private Enterprises, etc., are made periodically. Recommendations of Alterations in some of the buildings were made and carried out, as prescribed by law.
In presenting the information contained in this part of my report, I wish to make it quite clear that this is not an attempt to engage in high pressure salesmanship, but merely to present to the voters a brief, factual summary of the work, progress and aims of your Fire Department, in keeping with the continuing growth of the Town.
As directed by vote of the Town, a Committee was named, consisting of Mr. William Noyes, Selectman; Mr. Antone Sousa, Chief; Mr. Edwin Gibson, Deputy Chief; Mr. Joseph Braga, of the Finance Committee; and Mr. John O'Brien, voter, to draw specifications and secure competitive bids to purchase a new Pumping Engine. This Committee met in several formal meetings to draw the specifications, and numerous informal meetings to
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visit surrounding cities and towns, that had recently purchased similar equipment. After careful analysis of the specifications, and after having received bids from a number of manufacturers, the Committee was unanimous in placing an order with the Seagrave Corp. of Columbus, Ohio, for a 750 gallon per minute, Seagrave pumper on 1959 Chevrolet chassis. This Engine with a 600 gallon tank, hose and other necessary appliances, was delivered in Sep- tember and after Underwriter's tests, was accepted and placed in service.
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