USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1947-1951 > Part 18
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At this session the resignation of Mrs. Elizabeth Collins was read and regretfully accepted.
The committee met again in January 4, 1950. This ses- sion was devoted principally to matters of procedure, rulings. etc., by which meetings hereafter are to be guided.
Authorization was voted to Mr. Wiley and Mr. Young to prepare an article for the 1950 Annual Town Warrant to see if the Town will vote funds necessary to carry on with the Tercentenary project.
A letter was read from Mrs. Cole notifying the Commit- tee of her resignation as a member and Secretary. It was voted to accept this decision with regret.
This meeting closed with an election to fill the two va- cancies already recorded.
Mr. Joseph H. Putnam was chosen to succeed Mrs. Col- lins. Mrs. Dorrice M. Mayo was unanimously elected to re- place Mrs. Cole as member and Secretary.
The 1950 Annual Town Meeting checks off one year of activity for the Eastham Tercentenary Committee. It is hoped that the results and the objectives as reported herein will meet with the approval of the Town. The Committee is confident that with the support and cooperation of the com- munity the 300th Commemoration of its incorporation, to be observed in the Summer of 1951, will mark a period in the history of Eastham, of which it can be justly proud.
Respectfully submitted.
HARRY S. YOUNG,
General Chairman.
86
Report of the Planning Board For the Year 1949
To the Citizens of Eastham :
Regular meetings of the Planning Board have been held on the third Monday of each month, and other special meet- ings have been held with the Board of Appeals, the Board of Selectmen and with the Committee on the proposed Audi- torium at the Town Hall.
During the year, we have studied the proposed plans and locus of several subdivisions. For the most part the de- velopers made every effort to meet the regulations pertain- ing to subdivisions. One proposed plan was not approved and this plan was taken to the Board of Appeals.
A study of the advisability of Town Zoning has been made and it is the opinion of this Board that some form of zoning should be passed to control the development of the Town. One of the main reasons for action to be taken at this time is that the Mid-Cape Highway is expected to reach Eastham within two years.
A study of Town Landings and Ways in the Town has been made and the following recommendations are the result of this study. The Dyer Prince Road should be widened to 40 feet and extended to Cape Cod Bay with suitable landing places on Rock Harbor Creek and Cape Cod Bay. A 40-foot way should be laid out and defined near the shore from Camp Ground Road to Cook's Brook Road. Higgins Road should be widened to 40 feet from Camp Ground Road to Cook's Brook Road. A 40-foot way should be laid out and defined from Meeting House Road on the land of George A. Whiting and Allston Street of Eastham Land Co. Plan, Sec- tion 1, to Schoolhouse Road. A survey and study should be made for a scenic highway from Doane Road northerly to the
87
Wellfleet town line, this to be done under Chapter 90 of the General Laws and a portion of the work done this year.
Town Landings should be made at all great ponds in the town. We suggest that one or more be taken each year. We have placed an article in the Annual Town Warrant for a landing at Herring Pond. A study of the building regula- tions was made with the Building Inspector and it was de- cided to insert articles in the Annual Town Warrant to make three amendments to the present by-laws. The co-operation of the citizens during the past year has been greatly appre- ciated. It is our sincere wish that the people of Eastham will continue to make suggestions for studies to be made in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL HANDEL, Chairman HERMAN A. DILL, Secretary
88
Report of The Eastham Appeal Board (Planning Board)
The first of October the Selectmen appointed the fol- lowing to act as an Appeal Board for the Town of Eastham : Charles A. Gunn, Harris H. Etter and Richard H. Whitford. The duties of this board consist of hearing the appeals of any party who feels that they have a justifiable cause for ap- pealing from a decision of the Planning Board.
A meeting of the members was called on October 8th for the purpose of organization and Richard H. Whitford was elected as Chairman and Secretary of the Board.
On October 27th a public hearing was held in the Town House on the appeal of Clarence E. Walker from a decision of the Planning Board relative to a plat of land which he owned adjoining the Camp Ground Road. No decision was made at this meeting on this appeal.
At a meeting of the board held on November 29th at which Mr. Walker presented his completed survey the board rendered a decision favorable to the appealent.
This committee suggests that the voters of Eastham give serious consideration to the adoption of Zoning for Eastham. If this is not adopted it is going to be nearly impossible for either the Planning or Appeal Boards to enforce some of the decisions which they may make in the best interest of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD H. WHITFORD,
Chairman.
89
Report of Town Hall Auditorium Committee
Fellow Citizens :
Your Committee appointed at the last annual Town Meeting has held a number of meetings with Mr. F. Cliff Pearce as consultant.
Plans have been worked out for an enlarged auditorium which we feel will be adequate for future Town Meetings and other civic gatherings.
A perusal of the pamphlet which you have received through the mail will have acquainted you with the plans, method of financing and other pertinent data.
Respectfully submitted.
MAURICE A. MOORE, Chairman EUGENE S. ZACK, Secretary HARRIS H. ETTER CLAYTON O. HORTON WINFORD L. SCHOFIELD
90
Report of the Eastham World War II Memorial Plaque Committee
The Eastham World War II Memorial Plaque Committee held five meetings during the year 1949.
After contacting several firms. James H. Matthews & Co. was decided upon as being able to furnish the most sat- isfactory plaque, at a figure in accordance with the appro- priation.
All veterans were contacted to ascertain the correct spelling of their names and other information pertaining to the World War II Memorial Piaque.
The Plaque, with its inscription and eighty-seven names, was ordered October 19, 1949.
BY THE COMMITTEE
Respectfully submitted,
J. RUSSELL CHASE, Secretary.
Committee Members :
Clayton O. Horton, Chairman
Frank B. Lincoln Eugene S. Zack
Howard N. Walker
J. Russell Chase, Secretary
91
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen :
Work performed from January 1, 1949, to December 31, 1949 :
Scales and Measures : Scales over 10,000 1bs .- Sealed 1; 100 to 5,000 lbs .- Sealed 3. Scales under 100 lbs .- Adjusted 1; Sealed 7.
Meters (Gasoline) : Inlet one inch or less-Adjusted 4, Sealed 14, Not Sealed 2.
Vehicle Tank Meter System-Sealed 1.
Kerosene and Oil Measures-Sealed 7.
Retests 2. Totals-Adjusted 5; Sealed 23.
Total amount received sealing fees $24.50.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY M. WALKER,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
92
Report of Shellfish Constable
To the Board of Selectmen :
During the year a total of 85 bushels of quahogs were planted in Salt Pond; they were taken from a town area known as Smith's Flat. This 85 bushels of quahogs was nat- ural seed.
Forty bushels of clams were planted on the south side of Salt Pond, with very poor results. Twenty bushels were planted on the bay shore, with very good results. One hun- dred bushels of oysters were also planted on the east side of Salt Pond, with very good results.
Would recommend to the Selectmen that the next plant- ing of clams be on the bay shore ; rules and regulations may be made at a later date.
Number of non-commercial permits issued were 891 at 50c each. One hundred fifty-five non-resident permits were issued at $1.00 each. Sixty-eight commercial permits were issued at $2.00 each. No bay permits were issued.
An estimate of between 1000 and 1500 bushels of little necks were taken from the area known as Smith Flat at an estimate of between 5 to 6 thousand dollars. I would recom- mend that this flat be closed until fall.
In making the rules and regulations of shellfishing there should be included a rule stating no shellfishing between sunset and sunrise.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD ANDERSON, Shellfish Constable.
93
Report of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham Ambulance Association, Inc.
RECEIPTS-1949
Orleans
$1,500.00
Eastham
750.00
Brewster
750.00
Donations
165.00
Total Receipts
$3,165.00
Balance January 1, 1949
823.37
$3,988.37
EXPENSES
Gasoline and Oil
$ 267.72
Drivers
1,185.00
Upkeep
480.00
Meals
43.38
Laundry
70.75
Insurance
256.99
Equipment and Supplies
157.90
Heat-Town of Orleans
200.00
Miscellaneous
2.00
Total Expenses
$2,663.74
Replacement Fund
500.00
Cash on Hand
824.63
$3,988.37
TRIPS
Orleans
42
Eastham
34
Brewster
23
Total Trips 99
RICHARD H. WHITFORD, HERMAN A. DILL, Eastham Members.
94
Report of Police Work
To Maurice W. Wiley Chief of Police Town of Eastham
Herewith I submit my report of duties performed by Police Officers in the Town of Eastham.
1-Patrolling the town on all weekends from May 30th to September 15; also Hallowe'en.
2-Parking cars at Nauset Light and Nauset Coast Guard Station beaches on weekends.
3-210 cars stopped for motor vehicle violations, such as:
a-Speeding
b-Blind passing
c-Cutting in and out of line
d-Driving so as to endanger e-Faulty equipment.
4-7 licenses sent to Registrar of Motor Vehicles for further action.
5-10 accidents reported and investigated. Six persons were injured as a result of these acci- dents. No deaths occurred.
6-26 various complaints investigated, such as : a-Breaking and entering
b-Disturbing the peace
c-Morals charges
d-Arrested for drunkenness, 1
Arrested for speeding, 1 Arrested for driving without a license, 1
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7-7 warrants and summons served; 5 for out-of- town police.
8-Police duty at Town Hall activities.
9-5 assists of other police departments with deliv- ery of messages and investigations.
10-Purchase of safety equipment :
3 dozen red flare lights
3 Thoro red flares (automatic)
1 Red Glo flash light
1 quart size Trigger Type fire extinguisher 1 axe
50 feet of small rope
11-Attending Police School at Hyannis for 13 weeks.
Police work in Eastham is largely curtailed by lack of funds and equipment as shown by the preceding report. More and more consideration should be given to this department. With the cooperation of taxpayers in the Town of Eastham the police work could become a very great public service in all instances and emergencies. The outcome would be protec- tion for all persons and properties at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFRED J. KNOWLES,
Deputy Chief of Police.
96
Report of Miller
To the Board of Selectmen :
This is a report of the activities at the Old Mill for the summer of 1949. We had over 6500 visitors in the twelve weeks that the Mill was open, which is an increase of about 500 over last year. The cash receipts were $267.04 from the contribution box and $167.00 from the sale of cards, etc. The mill has been self sustaining as the above figures will show. I still contend with more advertising and a large sign to each approach the number of visitors would be increased.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD R. COLE,
Miller.
97
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen :
I take pleasure in submitting my report as the town's Building Inspector, having been appointed to that office as of July 1, 1949, to succeed the former Inspector, Mr. Harris Etter.
During 1949 we issued a total of 146 building permits, including 129 new buildings and 31 additions or alterations with an estimated cost of $317,985.00.
There were 245 inspections made during the past year. Amount of fees collected and turned in to the town were $345.50.
I find the home owners and builders most co-operative and are in favor of our building codes.
I wish to thank all for the co-operation given me.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH L. ROGERS,
Building Inspector.
98
Report of Tree Warden for 1949 AND RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROPRIATION FOR 1950
Board of Selectmen
Town of Eastham Gentlemen :
There is ample opportunity for the planting of shade trees in town ways, and with consent of property owners, it is hoped that such a project can be begun in 1950. There is also some brush clearance to be done on the school property, and on the Library lot.
It is to be expected that there will be some storm clear- ance before the year is over. We were fortunate that the mild winter of 1948-49 left us with very little of this sort of work.
May I recommend the appropriation of the sum of $200 to the Tree Warden's Account for 1950 ?
At the Town Meeting in 1949, the town voted to appro- priate the sum of $200 to suppress poison ivy within the limits of the town, and designated the Tree Warden as the department head under whose direction any sums voted for this purpose shall be expended as authorized under Chapter 202, General Laws.
With an auxiliary metal tank installed on the spray truck to handle the weed killer, a program of poison ivy sup- pression on and adjacent to the town ways was put into effect. Every patch of poison ivy on the town ways was sprayed at least once, and many of them several times. Some, but not all, of the ivy sprayed was destroyed. Further sup- pression measures will provide the answer as to how to de- stroy all the poison ivy.
Many people are highly susceptible to contact with poi- son ivy, and it has been proved that no one has a permanent immunity to it.
Therefore I recommend the appropriation of the sum of $200 for the poison ivy account for 1950.
E. W. LLOYD,
Tree Warden.
99
REPORT ON MOTH APPROPRIATION FOR 1949 AND RECOMMENDATION FOR 1950
Board of Selectmen :
The planning and meetings necessary to the first com- prehensive attack on the gypsy moth in Massachusetts, which aimed at complete control and possible eradication of the pest through aerial spraying of an entire large area re- ceived the full cooperation of the Moth Superintendent and other town officers.
The project represented one of the finest examples of cooperation on the part of several agencies. It involved not only the 15 towns on Cape Cod, but the County of Barnstable, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture through several divisions, as well as the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force. Also cooperating in various phases were the Cape Cod Pest Control Committee, which had initiated the program a year earlier ; the Agricul- tural Extension Service on the Cape, the Massachusetts Au- dubon Society, cranberry growers and others; the County Health Department, the Cape Cod Standard-Times, and Ra- dio Station WOCB.
The Hon. Edward C. Stone of Osterville, State Senator for the Cape, Islands and Plymouth district, introduced the special legislation needed to make the program possible, and followed it through the legislative committees until it was passed and signed. Besides authorizing the pooling of town appropriations and permitting counties to appropriate funds for such spraying, this legislation included a special appro- priation of $100,000 by the County of Barnstable. Speedy en- actment of all this legislation was necessary to permit spray- ing to begin in April, and this was accomplished. The bill providing for the special county appropriation set a new
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record in the time needed for passage, thanks to Senator Stone's close cooperation.
Through the efforts of Col. William M. Tow, Commander at Camp Edwards, entomologists for the War Department were sent to the camp to check on the spray problem as it was presented to them through Col. Tow's report. Plans were made for the U. S. Air Force to supply the insecticide, plane, and manpower to do the work, and as a result sprayed ap- proximately 22,591 acres of woodlands as their contribution.
The area of acute infestation in Eastham was in excess of 2000 acres, and without aerial spraying would have spread to include the entire area of the town in the resulting defolia- tion. The northeast area was sprayed first when the military sprayed their installation in Wellfleet in May, and again when the contractor sprayed the entire town in June.
The trapping program in July and August produced only four male moths, and showed that approximately 5 acres of the Oak Grove area had been missed in the aerial spraying in June. The Massachusetts Department of Con- servation has indicated their intention to re-spray any area showing the need. The Oak Grove area will be taken care of under that program.
The Tyler Flight Service of Long Island, N. Y., was the spray contractor, at 50 cents per acre. The cost of Eastham's share of the County Tax in relation to the aerial spraying should be defrayed by the $1200 as appropriated at the Town Meeting of 1949 for this purpose.
In April, prior to the aerial spraying, all the town roads were sprayed with the hydraulic spray truck to control the tent caterpillar. Due to the delays in beginning aerial spray- ing, a barrier zone was established around the acutely in- fested area in the northeast part of the town.
All requests for custom spraying of fruit and shade trees and farm crops were complied with, but there were not very many.
The roadsides in the town were sprayed by the spray truck in July and August to control fall webworm and oak
101
worms. Also at this same time the placing and periodic in- spection of traps took considerable time. Scouting the areas where the male moths were caught is also a time-consuming project, and is still going on.
Roadside sanitation in relation to re-contamination by - the gypsy moth is an important part of the pest control pro- gram. This is one of the few insect pests which may be con- trolled by one application of DDT aerial spray ; most of the others have multiple generations in the same year, and re- quire a different method of control. Continued efforts toward control of the tent caterpillar, canker worm, elm leaf beetle and Oriental hag moth (which is poisonous) are all impor- tant in relation to the summer business in Eastham.
The health of Eastham's residents, as well as the health of Eastham's trees, is affected by the success of the program of insect pest control as authorized by Chapter 660, Acts of 1948. Under Section 11 of this chapter, Eastham's liability is $638.00.
I therefore recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $638.00 for Forest Insect Pest Control, and $362.00 for other insect pest control, including the fall webworm, oak worm, pine bark beetle and possibly some wood tick work, in 1950.
Dutch Elm disease is feared to be in one of the towns on the Cape.
Under Section 13, Chapter 761, Acts of 1949, effective August 1949, it is now the duty of the Moth Superintendent to prune and destroy all existing dead wood from town elm trees. The fifty elm trees in Eastham are all on private prop- perty, therefore control of Dutch Elm disease in Eastham must first take the form of education, in order to encourage the property owner to practice minimum procedures in feed- ing, spraying and sanitation of elm trees. Elm trees left neglected will fall early victims to the disease, and the town will then find it necessary to act under the State law, which
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provides authority to enter on private land to remove dis- eased trees which property owners are unable to do them- selves because of the cost.
E. W. LLOYD,
Moth Superintendent.
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRUCK ACCOUNT
Board of Selectmen :
In maintaining the town's hydraulic spray truck in a state of constant usefulness, especially as auxiliary fire equipment, some repairs, garaging and winterizing were needed.
Because the clutch housing has always been missing, it was necessary to replace the clutch a second time, and have a metalsmith tailor a sheet metal housing to protect the clutch.
The front end has been realigned, which eliminated a shimmy in the front wheels.
For garage, winterizing, insurance, maintenance and some repairs to the cab which have been ordered but not re- ceived, I recommend the appropriation of the sum of $200.00 by the town for the truck account for 1950.
E. W. LLOYD,
Moth Superintendent.
104
Report of Board of Public Welfare
Following is an accounting of the Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and General Relief accounts for the year 1949 in respect to reimbursements, disbursements and costs. After much requesting and then demanding by the State Department of Public Welfare a part time Social Worker was appointed which has proved very satisfactory. One-half of her salary and part of Welfare Board salaries and expenses are now paid by the Federal Government.
Old Age Assistance
Number cases January 1 18
Number cases December 31 18
Total Cash Payments
$13,554.37
Reimbursements :
Federal Government $5,525.78
State
5,309.02
Old Age Assistance Meal Tax
408.84
$11,243.64
Cost to Town
$2,310.73
Aid to Dependent Children
Number cases January 1 2
Number cases December 31 1
Total Cash Payments
$1,396.77
Reimbursements :
Federal Government
$803.41
State
461.33
1,264.74
Cost to Town $132.03
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General Relief
Number cases January 1 Number cases December 31 3
3
Total Cash Payments
$1,616.40
Cost to Town
$1,616.40
Total Expenditures
$16,567.54
Reimbursements
12,508.38
Cost to Town for the Three Accounts
$4,059.16
GEORGE HOWARD, Chairman ;
MAURICE W. WILEY,
LUTHER P. SMITH,
Board of Public Welfare.
106
Report of the Barnstable County Health Department For the Year 1949
The epidemics of chickenpox, measles and mumps which commenced in the late months of 1948 continued throughout the early months of 1949. Cases of mumps have beeu un- usually prevalent due largely to the fact that the County had escaped epidemics of this disease for several years.
In common with other parts of this state, an unusually high number of cases of poliomyelitis occurred during the summer and fall months. There were 25 cases reported to this department, 16 of which were among residents of the County and 9 were non-residents. There were 2 deaths, one resident and one non-resident. Of the 15 surviving residents, 9 showed some evidence of paralysis. Several of these cases are being followed up at the Crippled Children's Clinics. Financial assistance, where necessary, has been furnished by the local chapter of the Poliomyelitis Foundation.
In the field of sanitation, increased attention was given to private water supplies and sewage disposal methods, and we have noted an improvement in this field with more at- tention being given by some owners and builders to the location of private wells as related to sources of pollution. such as cesspools, etc.
Inspections of food handling establishments have been carried out as usual and our records show improvements in the very important item, cleansing and sanitizing of utensils.
The following table shows the results of swab tests taken on utensils during the years 1947, 1948 and 1949. Bac- terial counts of more than 100 per utensil were taken as the criteria for non-approval of sanitizing methods.
107
Total No. of No of Counts
% of Counts
Year
Examinations Over 100
Over 100
1947
368
188
51
1948
255
109
43
1949
258
55
21
In the field of Child Hygiene, the Department con- ducted several clinics for the examination of children be- tween the ages of 1 and 6 years.
Better methods of testing for hearing defects among school children were promoted and more up-to-date equip- ment has been purchased by this department and several of the school systems. A three-day course for the training of teachers and nurses in methods of Vision and Hearing test- ing was sponsored.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Communicable Disease Control:
Cases investigated
41
Smallpox vaccinations
79
Diphtheria immunizations
362
Whooping Cough
391
Tetanus
391
Schick tests
529
Child Hygiene:
Pre-school children examined
293
School children examined
253
School children inspected
597
Visits to Crippled Children's Clinics 334
Sanitary Inspections :
Water supplies
264
Sewage disposal
279
Schools
1
Dairy farms
134
Camp sites
5
Pasteurizing plants
38
Bottling plants 7
108
Food handling establishments Unclassified
525
23
Laboratory examinations :
Water supplies
170
Milk (bacteriological)
69
Milk (fats and solids)
73
Milk (Phosphatase test)
19
Cream
12
Food handling utensils
258
Cases of Reportable Diseases :
Chicken pox
216
Dog bite
159
Measles
206
Mumps
423
Poliomyelitis
25
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
1
Scarlet fever
27
Tuberculosis
20
Undulant fever
1
Whooping cough
7
Respectfully submitted,
F. L. MOORE, M. D.,
County Health Officer.
109
Auditor's Report
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation Division of Accounts
State House, Boston 33 October 21, 1949
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Maurice W. Wiley, Chairman Eastham, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Eastham for the period from September 21, 1948 to September 3, 1949, made in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
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