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 1960-1963 > Part 4
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Respectfully submitted,
HORACE R. SNELL, Chairman H. KINGMAN BURRILL, Secretary
Other Members:
Minot Edson
Norman Estabrooks
Harold Colby
Alternates:
Julian Lucini
Brooks Burt
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Telephones
Emergency Calls Only
JU 6-3232
Business Calls and Permits
JU 6-4137
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith the annual report of the Fire Department of the Town of West Bridgewater, for the year 1960.
PERSONNEL
The Fire Department is organized as follows: One Chief, One Deputy Chief, Two Captains, Four Lieutenants, Twenty Two Firefighters, One Fire Alarm Technician & Electrician, and Five Forest Fire Wardens.
APPARATUS
Three Pumping Engines completely equipped, One Com- bination, One Emergency Truck, Rescue Boat & Equipment, and One Service Truck.
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ALARMS ANSWERED
Fires:
Houses
12
Sheds
3
Henhouse
1
Restaurants
2.
Dairy
1.
Woods
26
Grass
15
Smoke, no fire
3
Dumps
2
Auto
10.
Truck
1
Tractor
1
Resuscitator
5
Aid to Police:
Auto Accidents
8
Lost Child
1
Locked Out
2
Miscellaneous
6
Aid to Railroad, Train Derailed
1
Aid to Other Towns
13
Aid from Other Towns
5
PERMITS ISSUED
Open Air Fires
1372
Oil Burners
163
All Others
67
Complaints
204
Investigations
230
INSPECTIONS
Periodic inspections have been made of all schools, Public and Private, and Public Buildings, as prescribed by Law. In addition, numerous other inspections have been made, and recom- mendations to correct hazardous situations, wherever they existed, have been followed.
Gas Pump
64
TRAINING AND DRILL PROGRAM
A total of thirty-four drill sessions were held under the direc- tion of Drillmaster Richard Keith. Subjects covered included Firefighting Procedures, Ladder Work, First Aid, and Ice Rescue. All of this was supplemented with lectures by qualified Instructors from Brockton and Brookline, Massachusetts, and Cranston, Rhode Island.
This continuing program of Drill and Instruction is most beneficial, not only as it maintains an alert and interested group of Firefighters, but also accrues to the benefit of all the citizens, in having one of the best qualified firefighting and rescue groups to be found anywhere.
All of the equipment and station facilities are reasonably ade- quate at this time. As a result of a Special Town Meeting in Sep- tember, three firefighters are assigned as Dispatchers, to provide twenty-four hour coverage of the Telephones and Radios of both the Fire and Police Departments. Lest there be any misunder- standings, I would point out that the Dispatchers are assigned to the Station, and although they are in a position to speed assistance and action in emergency or need, they are not available to leave the Station while on duty. As I have indicated in recent annual reports, a very serious situation prevails with respect to manpower during certain periods every day. I am, therefore, again recom- mending that the Townspeople give serious consideration to the necessity of providing full-time firefighters as soon as practicable. As the Town grows, with more people, houses, businesses, and traffic, the exposure and hazards increase, and this protection is very necessary.
We have been pleased to conduct tours of the Station for numerous Youth Groups who have requested an explanation of the methods and operation of the Department. At this time, I would extend an open invitation to any group or individual to become more familiar with the facilities and methods of the De- partment. A wider understanding of our problems and methods of operation will be of benefit to all concerned.
I stated in my annual report of 1956, and I would again remind the citizens, that the chassis of the Emergency Truck is of an age where it is not in the best interests of the Town to con-
65
tinue to repair and maintain it, and I recommend that it be re- placed in 1963.
The Station has been painted on the outside, and the usual maintenance work has been carried on in the interior. Our Drill Ground area, at the rear of the Station, has been partially filled, and an allowance has been made in the budget to continue this improvement during 1961.
I have included in the budget a request for a small sum of money to meet the minimum needs of the Department in the matter of new equipment.
A closer examination of this report will explain to the Towns- people that the Fire Department is responsible for many more things than the prevention and suppression of Fires. We are not unwilling to accept this added responsibility, but it is certainly proper that the people generally have an appreciation of the in- creasing need and that the Department be assured of the man- power and equipment to do effective work.
In concluding this report, I would first pay my personal re- spects and a word of tribute to the long and faithful service of Captain Henry M. Howard, who retired from active duty in the Department after fifty years. Secondly, I would ask for the con- tinued cooperation of the Town Officials and all of the citizens, in order that together we may maintain the high calibre of Fire Service that the Town is fortunate to have. And finally to express my thanks to the Town Officers, the Officers and men of the De- partment, and to all citizens for their cooperation and good efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA Chief of the Fire Department
SCHOOL FIRE SAFETY COMMITTEE
Our committee was authorized to make a survey of fire safety conditions in the town's schools and, subsequently, inspection tours were made of the Sunset Avenue School and the High School.
66
During our tour of the Sunset Avenue School, the committee noticed that a door leading from the boiler room to the outdoors, and situated beneath the fire escape, was not fireproof. We recom- mended to the school committee that this door immediately be covered with a light gauge metal and a fusible link installed to minimize the danger of flames or smoke passing through and mak- ing the fire escape impassable. This has been done.
The committee very strongly feels that due to the construction and age of the Sunset Avenue School immediate steps should be taken to protect the safety of our children. In a town such as ours with a call system, it is most important that hazards be reduced to the lowest degree possible. We strongly recommend that a sprinkler system be installed in the school with a direct alarm connection to the fire station. The committee feels that the cost of such an expenditure is nil compared to the benefits to be gained. It is estimated that with such an installation, the Town's insurance premiums would be reduced $100.00 to $150.00 a year.
The other alternative, which we do not think sufficient but better than nothing, is a fire alarm detection system with a direct alarm to the fire station. The sprinkler system would assist in put- ting out the fire while the detection system would merely ring bells.
The committee wrote several sprinkler system and fire detec- tion system companies requesting surveys be made and prices be submitted to the committee. From estimates received, an adequate sprinkler system with a direct alarm connection to the fire station would cost approximately $7,000.00, while a fire detection system with a direct alarm connection to the fire station would cost ap- proximately $3,000.00.
Examinations of other buildings show that a sprinkler system of fire detection system could be used to good advantage in sev- eral areas of the high school. However, the committee does not feel the urgency exists there that is present at the Sunset Avenue School. The committee does recommend that all other schools be
67
tied in, in the future, with a direct alarm connection to the fire station.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN T. GIBSON, Chairman KENNETH ECKSTROM MALCOLM MacLEAN
PETER MAHONEY JOHN S. NELSON
BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my annual report as Building Inspector for the Town of West Bridgewater, for the year 1960. Permits were issued and inspections were made as required, for the construction listed:
Permits issued
New Dwellings
34
New Garages
19
New Business Establishments
2
Other New Buildings
9
Alterations to Dwellings
16
Alterations to Business Establishments
7
Alterations to Other Buildings
3
Buildings Taken Down
23
Buildings Moved
3
House Trailer
7
Total Permits Issued
123
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA Building Inspector
68 INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of West Bridgewater, Mass.
I hereby submit my report for the year ending 1960:
Inspections
Edison Permits
Services
122 100 7 39
Locked Locations
Rough Wires
Added Wiring
Not Accepted
Oil Burners
22 15
Water Heaters
Electric Ranges
3
Storm
Power
Trailers
Fire Calls
Carnivals
3
All inspections were based on the 1959 and 1956 National Electric Code as adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with no special rules.
I wish to thank the honorable Board of Selectmen and the Town Tax Collector's Office for their assistance in issuing permits and aid to this department.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT M. GREINER
Inspector of Wires
31 3
Electric Dryers
24 22
Signs
15 4 4 3
208
69
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health respectfully submits to the Board of Selectmen our annual report:
During the year 1960, your Board of Health has worked dili- gently in an effort to establish routine, formulate new policies and in trying to maintain a healthy environment for the citizens of West Bridgewater. Regular meetings were held on the first and third Mondays of the month. Unscheduled meetings were held with East Bridgewater Board of Health, East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen, West Bridgewater Board of Selectmen and with the respective Town Counsels. The purpose of these meetings was to organize a combined effort to bring legal proceedings against the City of Brockton for the continuing pollution of the Matfield River. The Board also met to investigate complaints and to hold hearings regarding these complaints.
With the assistance of Dr. Joseph Calitri, our Town Physician, and his staff, a polio clinic was held for pre-school children. Vac- cine was administered without charge to those that applied and who had not received a proper series.
Progress in the improvement of our Town Dump has been encouraging. The additional gravel and the conscientious labor of Mr. Willis have increased the convenience with which our citizens can use this facility. "No dumping" signs were posted in the peripheral areas of the dump to promote cooperation in main- taining sanitation.
Our program for the inspection of public eating establish- ments has been successful in setting a standard of cleanliness and sanitation. The Board of Health issued to the majority of those inspected a certificate indicating the cooperation of the pro- prietors. This certificate displayed in our local establishments is assurance that the facilities were inspected by a qualified sani- tarian (at least four times during the preceding year) and that on the last inspection the bacteria counts were sufficiently low and that the premises were clean.
70
Although much has been done, we are far from reaching our intended goals. An old and ever increasing problem in the Town of West Bridgewater has been the proper disposal of sewage. This is more of a problem to us than to many other towns because within our boundaries are many areas of low land not well suited to accommodate the inadequate sewage systems of present resi- dences. The increase in new construction without scientific testing and qualified inspection of the building lot has led and will lead to a serious uncontrollable growth of our sewage problem. Until we have sound control over the creation of new health hazards our efforts to diminish the present unhealthy sewage conditions will be futile. The old inadequate sewage systems also must be dealt with as each problem arises. With this in mind, the West Bridgewater Board of Health will ask for an increase in its budget so that it may have funds to employ a sanitarian to investigate sewage systems which have been reported as inadequate and to advise the Board what steps should be demanded by the Board to correct the problem. The sanitarian will also perform the impor- tant task of inspecting new developments and new construction sites prior to the issuing of sewage permits. The Board of Select- men has requested that the sewage applications be approved or disapproved before application for building be submitted to them. We hope this system of inspection will protect the builder from unknowingly installing an inadequate system as well as protect the new owner from purchasing a sewage problem. The Board of Selectmen has approved our request to raise the fee for a sewage permit from $2.00 to $10.00 in order to reimburse the Town for the monies we have requested to carry out this project. Once a scien- tific, unbiased, and professional inspection is instituted, the Board will work more effectively toward a program of regulation and en- forcement. In order to keep pace with surrounding communities we must seek the aid of a qualified person who will help the Board not only to condemn potential health hazards but will help to work constructively with those who wish to cooperate in preventing sewage problems.
Mr. Pearson, our inspector of animals, submitted his report of the inspection of live stock and the investigation of dog bites. Forty-one barn inspections and 31 dog bite cases were handled as part of his duties this past year.
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Our compliments are once again extended to Mrs. Dcan for her able work regarding the many reports of contagious diseases, dog bites and tubercular cases that the state requires each local board of health to submit. The Board's gratitude is also extended to Mrs. Brown who relieves us of the burdensome clerical responsi- bilities. The consultation and advice of the Board of Selectmen have been essential to much of the progress of the past year.
We hope to continue to exert our efforts in cooperation with each and every citizen so that we may maintain a wholesome and healthy environment for all of us.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. RICHARD T. GUIDOBONI JOHN A. HOWE HAROLD P. HALL
Board of Health
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith my annual report of the Highway Depart- ment for the year 1960.
In addition to the usual routine work, such as sand removal, cleaning catch basins, digging out water-ways, patching, etc., the following work has been done by the Department:
Seal Coat
The following Streets, or portions thereof, were seal coated: Crescent St., Cross St., Forest St., Grant St., Highland Ave., Manley St., South Elm St., Walnut St., Pumping Station Road.
72
Type I Hot Mix
Prospect St., Charles St., Ellis Ave., Hillside Ave., Cyr St., Matfield St., Railroad Crossing to East Bridgewater Line, Thayer Ave.
Highland Ave.
Graded, Asphalt Penetration, Seal Coat, Shoulders built to grade.
Chapter 90, New Construction
West Center St., from "Milky Way Dairy" to Easton line, 2000 ft. re-surfaced with Type I Hot Mix.
North Elm St., #171 N. Elm St. to Brooks Place, 5600 ft. re-surfaced with Type I Hot Mix. Shoulders built to grade, inter- sections and driveways graded to new surface. Catch basins and manhole grates raised.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Plain St. from Brockton line to East Bridgewater line, re- surfaced with Type I Hot Mix. Catch Basins and manhole grates raised, driveways graded to new surface. Berms and shoulders built on both sides.
Drainage
East Center St., 1 Catch Basin and 300 ft. of pipe laid. Rear of Fire Station, 350 ft. of pipe laid. Ditch dug out to West Center St. Belmont St., 2 Catch Basins and 200 ft. of pipe laid.
Spring St. Sidewalk
Approximately 800 cu. yds. of fill dumped on sidewalk lo- cation.
The Highway Department is grateful for the co-operation and support received from the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD BERGLUND
Highway Superintendent
73
PLYMOUTH COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
In reporting on your project's activities in 1960, our third year of operation, we are happy that many of our preliminary efforts of the first two seasons are now producing good control in many breeding wetlands.
A number of factors have contributed to this season's control: 1. The increased efficiency of the field men as a result of two or more years of training and experience. 2. In all towns, one or more of the most prolific breeding areas adjacent to population centers have been eliminated by a drainage program, effected by our power trencher. 3. While rain-fall was normal during the past sum- mer, we had lengthy periods between rains, thus giving insecticide adequate time to halt the development of mosquito larvae. 4. Little or no expenditures toward new equipment were necessary this year; this allowed additional monies for control work.
In the past season, we again suffered through a heavy popu- lation of the first spring brood of mosquitoes, this being a species that produces but one brood per season. They start hatching in early May in fresh water swamps and persist as our number one pest until early June. Surveys indicate better than 50,000 acres of such swamps in this county and to effect adequate control, the cost of aerial spraying all such swamps would range up to $50,000.00 As this is not a disease vector mosquito and as it does not produce repeat broods, I would never recommend or consider such an expenditure.
During the winter season of safe ice conditions, our men, working with knapsack dusters, treat small breeding swamps on the fringe of residential communities and in some sections this treatment may be completed by a power duster on a truck. Where this limited work is accomplished, a sharp reduction of the spring brood is possible. This phase of control will be gradually expanded.
During the summer months, the crews discontinue all drain- age projects and concentrate on such control of all mosquito species as can be effected by various spray treatments, by use of aircraft, spray trucks and hand applications.
As areas are located or reported with an abundance of adult
74
mosquitoes, residual type spraying is completed. This effort affords temporary relief in troublesome sections and the spot treatments are specific enough to eliminate the breeding entirely in contamin- ated waters where disease vector species are indicated.
Many breeding areas which require continuous alert control and pre-hatch treatment each week during the summer, would come under some of the following: municipal sewer beds, dumps and disposal areas used by commercial cesspool pumping concerns, and in residential developments, where inefficient septic tanks are leaching into streams and ponds. Storm sewer catch basins in the streets are also a continuous breeding source all season.
As all of these specific places represent breeding of both the nuisance type and vector type mosquitces, it is the number one priority for each district foreman.
We have now had three summers with no case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis reported in horses or humans and while our present control policy is showing positive effect on this disease and overall progress on general control, it will continue to be my policy to produce the most effective control possible in that direction with the funds available.
Respectfully submitted, WARREN G. HARDING Superintendent
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board respectfully submits their Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1960.
During the year much time and thought was given by the Board to current and future needs of the Town. The Board wel- comes suggestions, by the townspeople, on long range planning that will result in the betterment of our Town.
There were twenty-seven regular and special meetings held by the Board, including four public hearings, together with joint meetings with representative members of the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health, the Water Commissioners, the Building In- spector and representatives of the Bridgewater Planning Board.
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Seventeen applications were received during the year for sub- division of land facing on approved Town roads. Sixteen of thesc applications were approved, establishing thirty-ninc, approved, new building lots. One application was denied, inasmuch as it did not meet the minimum frontage and area requirements for building lots. Three applications were received for subdivisions requiring new ways to service them. After Public Hearings one application was approved upon receipt of required securities; one given con- ditional approval, contingent upon the posting of required bonds and the requirements of the Board of Health. Final action on the third application was deferred at the request of the applicant. Fourteen new building lots were established by approval of these subdivisions, bringing the total number of building lots, approved for recording at Plymouth, to fifty-three for the year.
As required by the Town By-laws, all applications for earth removal were referred to the Planning Board for their rccommen- dations before action by the Board of Selectmen. In every instance a joint committee, consisting of members of both boards, inspected the sites specified in the applications and submitted a written report, containing the recommendations of the inspecting com- mittee, to the Board of Selectmen, as a basis for their action on said applications.
The Planning Board has been much encouraged by the "Look- ing to the Future" thinking of so many of our fellow townsmen, evident in the support given to the Trailer Coach Park Regula- tion, adopted at the last Annual Town Meeting. We have al- ready seen indications that the action taken was most timely. It is interesting to hear that this new Trailer Coach Park Regulation has aroused much favorable interest throughout the state and may become the basis for similar action by many towns within the Commonwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
H. EDWARD PARRY, Chairman RUSSELL P. ROBERY MERTON H. OUDERKIRK EVERETT W. KEELER JOHN D. FRATES, Secretary
76
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Medical Assistance for the Aged is a program established by General Laws, Chapter 118 A, which became effective October 1, 1960. This law provides medical care for persons 65 years of age and over whose income resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services.
Expenditures and receipts for 1960 compared with 1959 are:
Expense
1959 $84,496.25
1960 $81,488.77
Receipts
71,582.12
67,936.62
Net expense to Town
$12,914.13
$13,552.15
WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman MARJORIE MacDONALD GEORGE V. HOLLERTZ, JR. Board of Public Welfare A. M. DEAN
Director of Public Assistance
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
1960 TRUSTEES
ELECTED
TERM EXPIRES
Anna Howe
1958
1961
Stanley Carlson
1958
1961
Jessie Anderson
1959
1962
Kenneth Buker
1959
1962
Lillian Kundzicz
1960
1963
Allen Foye
1960
1963
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ORGANIZATION
Chairman
Kenneth Buker
Secretary
Jessie Anderson
Treasurer
Anna Howe
BOOK COMMITTEE
Jessie Anderson
Anna Howe
Kenneth Buker Stanley Carlson
MAINTENANCE
Allen B. Foye
The Trustees of the Public Library look back upon the past year with deep satisfaction. The goal that has been planned for and worked toward for many years by the board, the library staff, and the library's many friends has finally become a reality.
At a special town meeting in November the people of West Bridgewater voted to build a new public library in conjunction with a new wing being added to the Junior-Senior High School. The library will be an independent unit, as the school will still maintain its own library. The new library will fulfill all the past services of the public library with many new advantages being available.
All major repairs and alterations have been kept at a minimum this year, anticipating a new building in the not too distant future.
The board welcomes Mrs. Lillian Kundzicz as a new member.
In this transition period, the library still maintains its high level of service. This service is yours.
We urge you to use it.
Respectfully submitted for the Trustees,
JESSIE M. ANDERSON, Secretary
78
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT To the Trustees of the West Bridgewater Public Library:
Report of the Year ending December 31, 1960.
We at the Public Library have had a very busy year, with 94 new child subscribers and 40 new adults. Every year there is a greater demand for books suitable for book reports and general reference.
Miss Carol Greene, High School Senior, is very efficiently doing the part-time work. This work at the present time is keep- ing the children's books in order of their grades and keeping the Reference Room and magazines in order.
Mr. Roy S. Fletcher remains as custodian. There have been many small repairs and extras done this year at the library that have been of help to the Librarians, without incurring any expense.
This year we feel that the extra two hours in the evening in the summertime was well patronized and worthwhile.
A very noticeable gain was made in school circulation owing to required reading in the lower grades and several rooms borrowing for their own library corner. Our general circulation still keeps over the 21,000 mark.
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