USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1952-1956 > Part 12
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47 - licenses and or registrations referred to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
76 - motor vehicle transfers.
1 - stolen car recovered.
4 - motor vehicle court cases.
4 - convictions.
4. COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED Total number of Complaints 267 Complaints include 13 - Breaking and Entering
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20 - Property Damage
5 - Prowlers
4 - Drunk
2 - Assault and Battery
2 - Morals
7 - Illegal use of firearms
6 - Summons served
5 - Dog Complaints
4 - Arrests
4 - Convictions
5. ROUTINE DUTIES
15 - Assists to other police departments
12 - Pistol permits issued
2 - Emergency trips to Cape Cod Hospital
4 - Emergency calls for lost persons
31 - Messages delivered to and for summer residents
6.
INSPECTION OF UNOCCUPIED DWELLIINGS
As of December 31st all unoccupied dwellings have been inspected once.
During the past several years there has been an ever increasing amount of police work necessary in the town of Eastham. This circumstance has been brought about, to a great degree, by the fact that both year round residents and summer visitors alike have become accustomed to the limit- ed availability of this department. As is indicated by the above table, 267 calls and complaints have been handled in 1953.
I should like to call your attention to the number of cases taken to court as shown in the above table. This number is held to the barest minimum in view of the expenses in- curred by one Court case in Provincetown or Harwich. As far as is possible and practical, arrests and court are used as a last resort.
In the case of Motor Vehicle violations we have obtained
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complete satisfaction by handling such cases through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
It has been the strict rule of this department to maintain the attitude of public servants in every job that is done. Being firm, but courteous has paid dividends in the coopera- tion and understanding shown the department by residents and summer visitors. We all realize the importance of these visitors to the economy of our town. The officers of this de- partment have been instructed by me to always be mindful of the fact that courtesy, and kindness in the execution of their duties will make a friend for the town. At this point I should like to publicly express my thanks to Patrolman Ro- bert Deschamps for his services. He now has the experience of five seasons and several Police Training Courses, and whenever available, I have always found him ready and will- ing to carry out any duty, regardless of its nature or time. This past year, and very much by necessity, I added another uniformed man. I am certain that experience and training will make an efficient officer of Nathan Weber.
In the course of the past year, the work of the Police has become more effective by the addition of a 2 way radio in my car. This radio is part of the Barnstable County Police Radio System. This county wide network is considered the best in the state. Eastham is fortunate in being able to go one step further. The Police of Orleans maintain a radio dispatcher at all times. The service of this dispatcher has been made available to Eastham, and in many cases has proven exceedingly valuable. For example, in the case of an automobile accident requiring the services of a doctor and an ambulance, in a matter of seconds, the dispatcher at Or- leans is calling both by telephone. The most convincing ex- ample is the fire that was discovered while the officer was on routine patrol ; in less than a minute the alarm was being sounded.
The Police Radio log, which must be maintained by each
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station, shows that we received 178 calls via the radio sys- tem.
Eastham's growth is referred to elsewhere as the fastest on Cape Cod, proportionate to its size. This is again indicated by the increase of 147 police calls this year, the alarming increase in summer traffic, and the large number of sum- mer homes being built every year. To properly handle the calls takes considerable time. To effectively curtail the haz- ards of the increased summer traffic takes many hours each day, and to render the service which the owners of summer property are justified in expecting, it will take the greatest part of one man's time to give these vacant properties the right kind of surveilance during the winter months.
In leiu of details concerning my recommendations I re- spectfully refer you to the Selectmen's report and to the ar- tieles concerning police in the warrant.
I am going to take this opportunity to thank the Select- men and other town officials, the citizens and visitors, and cther Cap~ Police Departments for their excellent support and cooperation. It has been a pleasure working for them and with them. Any recommendations that will tend to make a better Police Department will be sincerely appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFRED J. KNOWLES, Chief of Police
91
Report of The Recreation Committee
To the Board of Selectmen :
The major part of the Committee's efforts were directed toward a summer program for Boys and Girls.
The swimming class program, directed by Miss Pamela Houghton, was increased to three days a week. These classes were very well attended. The swimming program received praise from both townspeople and summer visitors.
A group of Eastham boys formed one team in the four- team Orleans Little League. "Sid" Mickle was in charge of this baseball program, and led the boys to second place in the league standings.
Archery and Badminton were added to the girls' pro- gram this year, but these two sports did not seem to draw much interest. Unless there is more interest, this portion of the program will be discontinued.
The Committee feels that Miss Houghton and her youth- ful assistant, Miss Pamela Crosby, did a fine job with the water program. We also feel that Mr. Mickle did an excel- lent job on the boy's program. The Committee wishes to ex- press their thanks and appreciation to these able instructors.
Because of the success of the Swimming and Baseball Programs, and in order that they may be continued, we rec- ommend an appropriation of $600.00 again this year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD G. WHITMORE, Chairman HOWARD BREWER, Secretary MRS. HARRIET CROSBY DAVID L. MEAD MRS. MIRIAM DESCHAMPS
92
Third Annual Report of the Regional School Committee of Eastham
At the close of the year 1952 the proposed five town re- gional proposition in our opinion, held little or no appeal to the respective committees and the subject of regionalization was apparently closed.
This past fall of 1953, the possibility of regionalizing with Orleans and perhaps another town has been discussed and the report of the Orleans Building Needs Committee this year recommends Regionalization as two of their four general alternatives.
For Orleans to exclude the towns of Eastham and Brew- ster from their school would mean one of two things; either drastic curtailment of their curriculum or, increased per pupil cost. The first educationally unsound the second fin- ancially impractical. Thus we believe that Orleans will con- sider Eastham and Brewster in their building needs for the future. The only way this can be done for grades below the Senior High, is to Regionalize. We have no assurance that a regional project can be established with Orleans or any other town, but all indications show an interest in Regional- ization that there never was before. We can give no figures of comparison costs until such time as the regional commit- tee from another town or towns enters into an agreement for the establishment of a definite school project. We do not claim regional schooling to be less expensive than the present type of education but to quote Dr. Paul Stoddard, supervis- ing principal of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Connecticut, "Regional School is not cheaper but it is better education for the same money."
Fear of state control and destruction of the sovereignty
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of the town seem to be the main objections to regionalization. The only rebuttal which can be given regarding these sub- jects is to say that in Massachusetts, the state has never as- serted its legal authority over the towns to any great extent as far as schools are concerned. That a regional school com- mittee is governed exactly as the present school committee, by the town, and that costs both operating and amortization of bonds are lumped and fairly apportioned to the individual towns of the region. The regional district committee mem- bers of the several towns work out a financial arrangement showing how expenses are to be apportioned among the towns. This contract must be approved by the several town meetings before it becomes law. In a regional system a bud- get is made up, divided according to the contract and pre- sented to the several town meetings. This differs little from the manner in which the present school budget is handled.
There would be many advantages in having a central junior high school. First, the size of the classes would justify division into two sections, one to be given the pre-college ed- ucation preparation while the second section would receive the more general education preparing for the commercial and shop courses of the high school. Second, all the children would receive the shop and home economics experiences im- portant to the pre-college group because it is probably their only opportunity to receive this experience, and to the pre- vocational group as a background for their more specialized courses in the senior high school. Third, Physical Education is perhaps more important at the junior high school level because during this period there is a rapid change in the children's physical structure and corrective exercises may be very important.
There are many financial advantages of smaller towns combining to form larger school systems and so offers the following financial reimbursements to regional schools.
A. Full reimbursement for drawing up plans.
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B. Fifteen (15%) percent more aid from state funds under Chapter #70.
Note : For the school year ending June 1953, East- ham received $3,471.41 under this chapter (general aid). The 15% factor would have increased this amount by $520.71.
C. Fifteen (15%) per cent more aid toward the cost of building. The construction grant bill is written to give more help to the poorer towns and since our towns have a high valuation, we shall receive the minimum aid. For a single town this minimum is 20%, while for a regional sys- tem it is 35%.
D. Full reimbursement of transportation costs to the regional school. At present we receive no reimbursement for children transported less than 11/2 miles, and we deduct $5.00 per child net average membership before putting in our claim.
Pride and independence are commendable virtues for any town to uphold, but we believe the time has come when we and neighboring towns should pocket the proud attitude and develop a community spirit beyond the boundary line of each individual town. The cooperative effort shown dur- ing the Tercentary activity of 1951 in Eastham, displayed the right hand of fellowship to all the towns on Cape Cod. If we could do it then, we should be able to do it now as re- gards our school. Eastham, Orleans and Brewster are linked so closely geographically, socially, and economically, that it would seem that an alliance of the three towns could be accomplished with little effort. If regionalization is not ef- fected, grades seven and eight will return to school in East- ham as of September 1955. This means either duplication of the expensive equipment at Orleans and hiring specialized teachers or to be content to give the children insufficient experiences in shop, home economics and physical education.
There is no wish on the part of this committee, to see a
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regional program set up to include so many schools that the number of youngsters attending makes the school resemble a factory. The happy medium to be reached is the establish- ment of a school unit large enough to be economically sound and yet small enough that the personal contact between teacher and pupil will not be lost. The object of regional school is to provide adequate educational and building fa- cilities for the small towns with ever-increasing budgets and eventual financial hardship in operating alone.
The education of our present day youth is vitally im- portant. School is frequently referred to as "the chief wea- pon of war". We, the people of the United States, the lead- ers of the free world should make certain that Education proves to be the weapon that finally wins our war for free- dom, and that of a large part of the world.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. SCHOFIELD ALTON C CROSBY ELIZABETH F. COLLINS
96
School Building Committee Report
To the Board of Selectmen,
We the members of the building Committee hereby sub- mit the following report.
The Building Committee was organized on February 26, 1953, and to date December 15, 1953, has held twenty one stated meetings in Eastham Grammar School and three ad- ditional meetings in Boston with the Building Assistance Commission and the Commissioner of Education.
We have settled on a plan that provides the necessary rooms and equipment to fulfill the building and academic needs of the youth of our community. This plan gives East- ham the needed four class rooms, to provide a separate room for each grade, a multipurpose room, necessary toilet fa- cilities and storage space and includes a kindergarten as an alternative plan.
This free standing building has been planned with the belief that it will be the neucleous of the school system which Eastham will need in the future. It is most important that any new construction at this time meet present day stand- ards rather than pattern that which we already have.
This plan meets with the approval of the Building As- sistance Commission and is, in the opinion of this committee, adequate for the housing needs of Eastham School children for a while at least. How long it will be sufficient space no one can predict accurately.
Most of the people in town realize that our present Grammar School Building is inadequate, otherwise we would not have grades seven and eight in Orleans, nor would we have grade five in the basement which is against state reg-
97
ulation and is only being allowed as a very temporary mea- sure. The use of the basement for classes deprives the lower six grades of all assembly privileges which today is a very essential part of the school educational system.
This committee recognizes the vote at the Annual Town Meeting last February as a mandate of the people of East- ham to this group to do only one thing, that is to bring in the plans and specifications for a building that is right for the needs of the town. The estimated cost of the proposed building is $237,825 including a kindergarten.
The estimated cost without a kindergarten is $213,137.
The cost at first may seem prohibitive but before passing judgement please note the costs of the following schools most recently built or under construction for a comparison.
The town of Hanover has just completed a new twelve room Elementary School including an assembly room seating 285 and a combination cafeteria and play room, an office for the Principal and a Health Room at a cost of $560,000.
Centerville opened this fall a seven room Elementary School including kindergarten with an All Purpose Room at a cost of about $275,000.
Harwich has recently signed a contract for a ten room Elementary School with an All Purpose Room seating 300 and without a cafeteria for a cost of about $400,898.
Truro signed a contract for $106,000 for two rooms and a Multipurpose room.
The above figures should show that Eastham is not out of line in the proposed expenditure.
A forum will be conducted prior to Town Meeting to acquaint you with the detail of the plans.
The Committee feels that no discussion relative to add- ing to the school is complete without investigating all pos- sibilities of providing better education for the children, thus we refer to the subject of Regionalization.
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The law states that any town maintaining an elementary school but not maintaining a high school shall PROVIDE ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL AND BUILDING FACILI- TIES WITHIN THE TOWN FOR EIGHT GRADES OR REGIONALIZE. A Regional set up whereby the seventh and eighth grade pupils of Eastham could remain as students in Orleans, is worthy of consideration. The object of Regional School is to provide better educational and building facili- ties for small towns who in operating alone and because of ever increasing operating costs, cannot provide all the es- sentials so necessary to the welfare and learning of present day youth. If Regionalization were in effect at the the pres- ent time with Orleans, the Eastham children would attend School just as they do now but the town of Eastham would have a voice in the operation of the school through commit- tee membership. The state does pay a 35% minimum for all construction costs for a regional plan as against a 20% min- imum for a town operated plan such as the building commit- tee is presenting this year. It would seem wise for Eastham to take the initiative and ask the town of Orleans to again consider Regionalization on a basis beneficial to both towns.
We, the Building Committee members have presented a plan that will eliminate overcrowded conditions. We have suggested the possibility of Regionalization if it could be effected. Thus the people of Eastham will be the deciding factor in this serious decision, with time of major impor- tance.
Respectfully submitted,
ELNATHAN E. ELDRIDGE OSCAR PIERCE EUGENE ZACK
ROBERT DESCHAMP JAMES E. SCHOLFIELD
ALTON C. CROSBY ELIZABETH F. COLLINS
99
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1953 :
Scales over 10,000 pounds
adjusted 1 sealed 1
Scales 5,000 to 10,000
adjusted 1 sealed 1
Scales under 100 pounds
adjusted 3 sealed 8
Scales 100 to 5,000 pounds
sealed 1
Gasoline meters one inch or less
adjusted 4 sealed 15
Vehicle tanks more than one inch
adjusted 1 sealed 1
sealed 2
Kerosene measuring devices
Total
adjusted 10 sealed 29
Vehicle tank retests
3
Gasoline meter retest 2
Fees collected
$20.50
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY M. WALKER
Sealer of Weights and Measures
100
Report of The Shellfish Constable
To the Board of Selectmen :
During the year, a total of 751/2 bushels of quahogs were planted in Salt Pond; also 200 bushels of oysters were planted in Salt Pond and the river.
The number of non-commercial resident permits issued was 867, at $1.00 each. 152 non-resident non-commercial per- mits were issued, at $2.00 each. 19 commercial quahog li- censes were issued for Cape Cod Bay, at $10.00 each. There were also 26 Scallop licenses issued at $10.00 each. 3 permits for commercial shellfishing of inland waters were issued at $5.00 each.
135 loads of gravel were put on the west side of Salt Pond, running south from the parking lot for about 400 feet, and about 40 feet wide. This gravel was put in the pond for the purpose of catching and holding clam spat. The experi- ment has not had time to prove successful as yet. I would suggest that this area be kept closed to the digging of soft shell clams for a period of two more years.
Cape Cod Bay has a large setting of seed scallops at this time. However, shellfish seed does not look too good in other areas of the town.
Respectfully submitted
HOWARD L. ANDERSON Shellfish Constable
101
Report of The Social Worker
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Old Age Assistance case load has decreased from 24 cases receiving assistance December 31, 1952, to 20 persons receiving this type of assistance December 31, 1953.
The Aid to Dependent Children case load has decreased from 6 cases, 17 recipients, December 31, 1952, to 4 cases, 12 recipients receiving assistance December 31, 1953.
A Disability Assistance case has been added in the course of the year 1953. The State in all cases of Disability Assistance pays 75%.
Federal financial participation in Old Age Assistance is $50.00 plus $5.00 for each case to 50% of $55.00 plus $7.50 a month per case.
Federal participation on Aid to Dependent Children is 50% of $30.00 for the needy grantee relative and the first child; and 50% of $21.00 for each additional child plus a Hat $4.50 per month for each eligible dependent recipient.
Respectfully submitted,
DORRICE M. MAYO,
Social Worker
102
BREAKDOWN OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Month
No. of Re- cipients
Payments Payments for for
Medicals Recipients
Total for Month
Federal Share
State Share
Town Share
January
25
$258.05
$1,613.56
$1,871.61
$847.77
$702.91
$320.93
February
23
394.21
1,487.38
1,881.59
759.27
761.10
361.22
March
24
143.29
1,569.09
1,712.38
807.95
619.15
285.28
April
24
227.30
1,462.56
1,689.86
804.50
621.44
263.92
May
22
385.91
1,458.54
1,844.45
741.47
716.52
336.46
June
22
135.43
1,423.84
1,559.27
272.80
572.46
264.01
July
21
232.41
1,338.34
1,570.75
691.64
599.90
279.21
August
21
146.99
1,336.54
1,483.53
698.85
539.78
244.90
September
22
184.75
1,566.16
1,750.91
732.60
727.69
290.62
October
21
241.99
1,520.42
1,762.41
697.60
717.87
291.11
November
20
238.38
1,479.46
1,717.84
669.15
704.41
344.28
December
20
461.28
1,440.84
1,902.12
684.50
811.75
405.87
Totals
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$3,049.99
$17,696.73
$20,746.72
$8,858.10
$8,094.98
$3,687.81
Payments to Other Towns $ 732.73
Total Payments for 1953
$21,479.45
Difference-Payment not reimbursed
103
Difference- Cancelled Check
Submitted by DORRICE M. MAYO, Social Worker
BREAKDOWN OF AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Payments Payments
Month
No. of Recipients
for to Medicals Recipients
Total for Month
Federal Share
State Share
Town Share
January
17
$99.91
$704.40
$804.31
$300.00
$268.10
$236.21
February
16
51.97
657.00
708.97
280.50
236.32
192.15
March
16
33.48
657.00
690.48
280.50
230.16
179.82
April
16
12.63
657.00
669.63
280.50
223.21
165.92
May
16
106.52
662.78
769.30
280.50
256.43
232.37
June
12
42.52
662.78
705.30
280.50
235.10
189.70
July
16
107.00
666.78
773.78
280.50
244.29
208.08
August
16
6.20
558.42
564.62
272.90
188.21
103.51
September
13
40.45
534.48
574.93
226.50
191.64
156.79
October
16
60.00
826.08
886.08
280.50
295.36
310.22
November
12
27.85
554.34
582.19
211.50
194.06
176.63
December
12
56.14
619.98
676.12
211.50
225.37
239.25
178
$644.67
$7,761.04
$8,405.71
$3,185.90
$2,788.25
$2,390.65
Submitted by DORRICE M. MAYO, Social Worker
Difference- Canceled Check
104
Report of The Tree Warden
To the Board of Selectmen :
The necessary storm clearance this past year has been negligible, due to the fact that there were no serious storms. However, all school bus routes were cleared in addition to the usual roadside clearance and control of weed growths.
In order that the normal program of roadside and storm clearance be maintained, it is recommended that the sum of $300.00 be appropriated for the Tree Warden Account.
An extensive program of Poison Ivy spraying was con- ducted, and it appears to have been fairly successful. This is very necessary in order to keep poison ivy under control. In order that this program can be followed to the utmost in the coming year. it is recommended that an appropriation of $400.00 be voted for the Poison Ivy Account.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT L. SCHROEDER
Tree Warden
105
Report of Eastham Volunteer Fireman's Association Eastham, Mass.
During 1953 the Association continued its work towards purchasing extra equipment for the Fire Department. A 2- way Radio was purchased for $620 and mounted on the auxiliary Fire Truck. At present we are considering pur- chasing a portable electric light plant to be mounted on a trailer and taken to fires at night and also to be used in emergencies. We hope to be able to buy it and give it to the Fire Department soon.
The total cost of equipment purchased by the Associa- tion and given by it to the Fire Department, since the Asso- ciation was founded in 1941, is now $3,675.79.
This summer it was decided to enlarge the activities of the Association by creating so called "Honorary" member- ships, for those who do not want to be active in the Associa- tion, but want to help it by paying membership dues. These honorary members do not vote and pay annual dues of $2.00 against the $3.00 paid by regular members.
Over 200 letters were mailed out to regular residents and summer residents, explaining the activities of the Asso- ciation and soliciting regular or honorary membership dues and donations. The response was excellent and over $200 has been collected as a result of these letters.
At the present the Association has 86 regular members in good standing and 24 honorary members. We have over $700.00 on hand and in banks for future use.
The Association intends to continue actively its work
106
toward purchasing additional equipment for the Eastham Fire Department and to help it in its work. The Association wants to thank the residents of the town and the summer residents for the help and encouragement they have given the Association.
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