USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1952-1956 > Part 19
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5. ROUTINE DUTIES
26 Assists to other police departments
3 Emergency trips to Cape Cod Hospital
2 Emergency trips to Taunton State Hospital
1 Emergency trip to Boston Sanitorium
3 Emergency calls for lost children
7 Assists to Doctors in cases of sudden illness or injury
11 Assists to the U. S. Coast Guard
9 Assists to the U. S. Army and U. S. Air Force
61 Messages delivered to and for residents and summer visitors
15 Pistol permits issued
66 Motor Vehicle transfers issued
2 Complete inspections of unoccupied dwellings
The first year of full time Police work in the history of this town has been completed and from this point it ap- pears to have been satisfactorily completed. A large measure of whatever success has been attained can be attributed to the fine cooperation extended to me by the people of East- ham, the complete support of the Selectmen, and excellent work performed by the officers of this department.
As was indicated in last year's report and substantiated by the preceding breakdown of duties, the continued growth of the town reflects an ever increasing demand on the ser- vices of this department. It is natural to assume that growth
65
will continue and in turn will continue to affect all town departments. Anticipating greater demands and to satisfy demands already present, it has become necessary to make a small increase in the Budget figure. During the past year there were occasions when limited funds made it necessary for me to put in as many as 18 hours in one day. This, plus the fact that considerable time was turned in without cost to the town by Robert Deschamps, Nathan Weber and Wes- ley Moore. The fine spirit shown by these men made it pos- sible to go through this year adhering very closely to the original budget figure.
The growth factor is probably best evidenced by a 40% increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents, totaling $15,780 in damages, this year over last. It is diffi- cult to believe that people just suddenly become more care- less. More logically, it can be attributed to the great in- crease in the amount of traffic. The eventual completion of the Mid-Cape Highway has been a conversation piece for a long time but each year it comes closer to being a reality. When the link is finally made and the traffic burden in- creases along with all the other problems that will accom- pany it, the equipment purchased and men trained under relatively small budget increases, will enable us to cope with this situation to a far better advantage.
During the past year the services of this department have been available to the public for 24 hours a day, every day. This is made possible by the 2-way radio in the cruiser and by a system of telephones and extensions. Whenever I had to be away for any reason, arrangements were always made with one of the other officers to be in readiness. The success of this call system is almost entirely responsible to the excellent Dispatcher Service maintained by the Orleans Police and Fire Departments. Through this service, contact can be made in a matter of seconds because the Dispatcher knows at all times the exact location of the cruiser or the officer on duty. The efficiency of a police department is commensurate with this type of service. A comparable set-
66
up run exclusively by the Eastham Police and Fire Depart- ments would be impractical from a cost standpoint at the present time. As a result of a conference held recently be- tween the Selectmen, Police and Fire Officials of the two towns, there will be inserted, for your consideration, an article in the Town Meeting Warrant, asking the Town to appropriate the sum of $500.00 to, in part, repay the Town of Orleans for the services rendered by their 24 hour Dis- patcher Desk.
For the benefit and protection of all concerned, I should like to recommend that persons desiring to contact this de- partment concerning police matters, do so immediately up- on determining the connection between the situation and the department. By way of example, one person reported, that the previous evening they had heard someone prowling around the garage. They didn't want to trouble the police, so nothing was done. The next morning it was discovered that someone had unsuccessfully tampered with the ignition in an effort to steal the car. In another instance, a person called to report rifle shooting near their home. Upon investi- gation it was found that the incident had taken place sev- eral times prior to the complaint. In these and many other situations much more effective police service could be ac- complished if the call had been placed immediately and as often as the occasions arise.
In October, the Town was presented a Certificate of Achievement by Governor Herter's Highway Safety Confer- ence. This award was made because the Town was free of any Motor Vehicle Fatalities during 1953.
Once more I should like to express my appreciation to everyone 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 greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, WINFRED J. KNOWLES Chief of Police
67
Report of The Eastham Recreation Commission
To the Board of Selectmen :
As has been the policy of the past two years, the Com- mission devoted its 1954 appropriation and planning en- tirely to programs for the children of the townspeople and of the summer residents and visitors.
The Commission was extremely fortunate in securing the services of a very lovely and efficient young lady from Wellfleet, a senior at the University of Massachusetts, Miss Barbara Bedell, who took charge of the swimming class activity, and who was ably assisted by Miss Pamela Crosby of this town. Miss Bedell's swimming knowledge and abil- ity, together with her knack for maintaining respect and discipline among her pupils, enabled her to work effectively to attain the purpose of her part in the athletic program. She conducted a ten week schedule during the months of July and August, when she held separate classes for from seventy-five to one hundred beginners, intermediates, and advanced pupils, three days each week. Miss Bedell made several important requests of the Commission for improve- ments to the swimming areas and additions to working equipment. These included requests for an enlarged sanded swimming area at Great Pond, adequate signs to mark off an enforced restricted area during instruction periods, pad- dle boards to aid in swim-kicking instruction, a rescue boat, and a new float for diving, swimming and life-saving in- struction at Great Pond. These are all very essential and reasonable requests with which the Commission is in full
68
accord and which it hopes to fulfill with the aid and sup- port of the Selectmen and the people of the town.
For those interested in that great national pastime, the Commission sponsored two baseball teams this year; one, a Little League team for boys from the ages of nine to twelve years, and the other, a Pony League team for boys from the ages of thirteen to fifteen years. Mr. George Nickerson of North Eastham was placed in charge of the fifteen to twenty Little Leaguers, and piloted them through a creditable sea- son of scheduled games in competition with the three Or- leans teams. He was aided by the very helpful, generous and unsolicited assistance of Mr. Samuel Sherman of Orleans.
The Pony League team, composed of twelve to fifteen members was a new addition to the program this year, and was in charge of Mr. Walter MacPherson, with Mr. Wil- liam Hayes assisting. Attempts to be permitted to join the Chatham-Harwich Pony League circuit proved futile, so that the team was forced to play a season of from eight to ten odd games, as they could be scheduled by the manager, with teams from Chatham, Harwich, Orleans, Wellfleet and Provincetown. Mr. MacPherson and Mr. Hayes generously donated their services for the season and asked that any recompense set aside for their time be put into the purchase of more equipment for the team.
The final Commission-sponsored event of the season was the Hallowe'en Party held in the Town Hall, where more than two hundred children and parents enjoyed an evening of games and refreshments.
The Commission members earnestly hope and trust that the Selectmen and the people of the town realize the ex- treme importance of proper and adequate athletic and rec- reational facilities and training for people of all ages, but especially for our growing youth in their mental and physi-
69
cal formative years, and it is the members' great desire that that their fellow townsmen will see fit to increase the recre- ation appropriation this year and each subsequent year, as the need arises, in order to allow for a constantly expanding program and eventual realization of the ultimate goal of a large town-owned field and completely equipped recrea- tional center.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID L. MEAD, Chairman HOWARD BREWER, Secretary MRS. HARRIET CROSBY MRS. VELMA MacPHERSON THEODORE F. MICKLE
-
70
School Building Committee Report
To the Board of Selectmen :
As a result of the action taken at the last annual town meeting, an appropriation of $135,000.00 was voted to en- large the facilities at the school.
In order to accomplish this the committee held 28 meet- ings. Upon the completion and acceptance of plans and specifications as presented by our architect, Walter M. Gaff- ney Associates, bids were invited and Anderson-Spinney Co., of Hyannis was awarded the contract. Work was started in August.
The project has progressed very satisfactorily and it is expected that the addition will be ready for occupancy on or about March 15th, 1955.
On the basis of the figures now available, the commit- tee has every expectation that the building will be com- pleted, including equipment and site development, within the original appropriation of $135,000.00.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT L. DESCHAMPS ELIZABETH F. COLLINS OSCAR PIERCE EUGENE ZACK
ALTON CROSBY JAMES E. SCHOFIELD ALFRED W. NICKERSON
71
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, 1954:
Scales over 10,000 pounds adjusted 1 sealed 1
Scales under 100 pounds adjusted 2 sealed 5
Gasoline meters one inch or less adjusted 2 sealed 17
Vehicle Tanks more than one inch adjusted 1 sealed 1
Kerosene measuring devices Total
adjusted 1 sealed 2 adjusted 7 sealed 26
Vehicle tank retests 2
Gasoline meter retests 3
Fees collected $28.50
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY M. WALKER
Sealer of Weights and Measures
72
Report of Shellfish Constable
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Selectmen of Eastham and Orleans have issued 74 Scallop Permits for commercial shellfishing, to date, and 19,953 bags of Bay scallops have been taken by the fisher- men of the two towns.
Fifty bushels of Quahogs were dredged from Cape Cod Bay and planted in Salt Pond, with excellent results. Also, 200 bushels of Oysters were planted in Salt Pond.
The softshell clam seed looks fair in Salt Pond, and it is recommended that this area be kept closed for some time.
There were 844 resident, non-commercial permits issued, 173 non-resident, non-commercial permits, and 3 commer- cial shellfishing permits during 1954.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD L. ANDERSON, Shellfish Constable.
73
Report of The Welfare Worker
To the Board of Selectmen :
This is primarily to the people of Eastham giving them some idea how the Welfare Department functions.
Fundamentally the aim of the Public Assistance Pro- gram is, through financial assistance and service, to meet the basic needs of those people who are unable to meet them through their own efforts or resources. Public Assist- ance agencies are set up by the Community as a whole to make sure that all members of the community have the means for adequate and healthy living. The agency also has the added responsibility of helping the individual, within his abilities to develop his resources and increase his efforts towards meeting his requirements.
In carrying out its functions the public assistance agency must aim always to insure fair and equitable treatment for all applicants and recipients. It is essential that the basic needs of all people be recognized, respected and met.
As the Federal and State Governments pay a large por- tion of all Welfare payments they have set up a Standard Budget for recipients of all categories, which the town in administering assistance is obliged to follow in order to re- ceive reimbursement from the same.
There are four different categories included under Wel- fare Administration :- Old Age Assistance-a program of public assistance established under Chapter 118A of the General Laws in which any person 65 or over with $500.00 or less in personal property may receive assistance as long as they meet all requirements. Aid to Dependent Children- a program of public assistance established under Chapter 118 of the General Laws under which cash allowances are provided for children who are living in a home maintained by their father, mother or other relative when death, long
74
term illness or some other factor has deprived the child of the normal support or care of either his father or mother. Disability Assistance-a person 18 years of age or over who is permanently and totally disabled, and able to meet all requirements. General Relief-is the responsibility of the town itself.
On December 31st, 1953, we had the following cases :- OAA-19; ADC-4 with 12 recipients; DA-1; and on De- cember 31st, 1954, we had OAA-27; ADC-7 with 21 re- cipients; DA-1. This shows a slight increase in the number of recipients.
Respectfully submitted,
DORRICE M. MAYO, Social Worker
Yearly Expenditures For All Four Categories
Recipient
Medicals
Federal Reimburse- ment
State Reimburse- ment
Towns Share
OAA
$17,949.65
$4,936.25
$9,194.80
$9,195.51
$4,186.48
ADC
9,146.10
866.79
3,604.93
3,315.21
3,025.60
DA
880.92
544.19
330.27
738.68
356.16
GR
725.33
725.33
Total
$28,702.00
$6,347.23
$13,130.00
$13,249.40
$8,293.57
OAA-Refunds-$309.11 ADC-Canceled Check-$67.15
OAA-Other Towns-$486.39
Respectfully submitted,
DORRICE M. MAYO, Social Worker
75
Report of The Eastham Improvement Association
To the Board of Selectmen
The Eastham Improvement Association has successfully completed the second year of operation. As you know, our organization is strictly non-political and its membership consists of non-resident taxpayers. Our association is the voice of the summer people and our policy is to work for the betterment of the entire country.
At the Annual Meeting in September, the following officers were elected :
Edward H. Gillespie, President
97 Spring Street No. Dighton, Mass. Tel. Orleans 562-W-4
Norris Pinault,
Vice-President
105 Middle Street Braintree, Mass.
Mrs. Bridie Power Casey, Secretary
George J. Cross, Jr.
Treasurer
15 Davis Avenue Brookline 46, Mass.
10 Davenport Street Worcester, Mass.
Elected Directors were :
Mr. Llewellyn Schofield
Mrs. Doris Ackerman Mr. Arthur Schutzmeister
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Two meetings were held at the Town Hall during the summer of 1954 and it is felt that many of the opinions and suggestions offered have already borne fruit. Many of the larger problems cannot be solved except in a long range program. The officers of the organization felt that there will be more tangible evidence to report on in another year.
The officers held a meeting in December 1954 follow- ing which I had the pleasure of meeting with the Board of Selectmen to present our program for the coming year.
We have many items of interest planned for the sum- ber of 1955 and I shall keep you informed of our progress.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. GILLESPIE, President
77
Annual Report of The Town Clerk
The following item of interest was found in the East- ham Town Meeting records of 1748 :
"At a Town Meeting held on Monday, ye 16th day of May, 1748, it was then complained by some persons that there was more taverns in said Town as was needful, and that they thot it would be proper to lay a petition before the next Inferior Court at Barnstable, to lessen the taverns in said Town, and there was then a vote called by the Moderator whether the Selectmen as agents for said town should draw a petition to lay before said Court to lessen the taverns in said town, and the vote passed in the affirmative."
The new filing cabinets, drawers and counter which were authorized at the Annual Town Meeting were pur- chased and installed by Charlbet's of Hyannis, and the add- ed facilities provided by these have done much toward ex- pediting the work of the office. There is now ample file space for valuable papers, excise cards tax bills, stationery etc., thus improving working conditions, the appearance of the office, and affording proper protection for important records.
The walls and woodwork of the office have been fresh- ened with a new coat of paint and varnish, the ceiling whitened and the floor re-finished, our custodian Horace Moore doing the work. A 3' by 4' framed enlargement of Eastham's famous old mill hanging on the wall has caused much comment.
The Selective Service Law demands that males must register on their 18th birthday. This can be done at the Town Clerk's office during working hours. Among those serving their country at the end of 1954 are: Stanley Keene, Walter Selinus, Clarence E. Doughty, Jr., Robert Carey, George Moore, Gerry and Donald Emond, Charles Wiley, Donald and Jack Ohmann, Donald Christopher, Robert Cross, George Rongner, William Joseph, Leonard Tarvers, Everett Marshall, Ralph Ormsby, Peter Ewald, Kenelm Col- lins, and Joachim Schneider.
Town Reports are being mailed to all of these persons with the thought that news from home is welcome. Eastham is proud of its representatives in service.
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REPORT OF DOG LICENSES FOR 1954
Total Number of Licenses issued:
66 Male Licenses @ $2.00
$132.00
21 Female Licenses 5.00 105.00
31 Spayed Licenses 2.00
62.00
6 Kennel Licenses
10.00
60.00
124
$359.00
124 Fees Retained @ .20
$ 24.80
Paid County Treasurer
334.20
$359.00
Amount paid County Treasurer is returned to the Town minus ad- ministration costs and damages caused by dogs, and is appropriated to the Public Public Library account.
Dogs 3 months old and over must be licensed on or before April 1st annually, these licenses obtained at the Town Clerk's office.
L. ISABELLE BRACKETT, Town Clerk
SPORTING LICENSES
76 Res. Cit. Fishing Licenses @ $3.25
$247.50
111 Res. Cit. Hunting Licenses @ $3.25
360.75
36 Res. Cit. Sporting Licenses @ $5.25
189.00
4 Res. Cit. Minor Fishing Licenses @ $1.25
5.00
20 Res. Cit. Female Fishing Licenses
45.00
58 Non-Res. 3-day Fishing Licenses @ $2.75
159.50
3 Non-Res. Cit. Minor Fishing Licenses @ $2.25
6.75
30 Non-Res. Fishing Licenses $7.75
232.50
4 Non-Res. Hunting Licenses @ $15.25
61.00
2 Duplicate Licenses @ .50
1.00
9 Non-Res. Military or Naval Sporting Licenses @ $2.00
18.00
351 Fees retained @ .25
$ 87.75
Amount paid Division of Fish and Game
1,238.25
$1,326.00
An important change in the law effective January 1, 1955 provides for three separate ways for minors (between the ages of 15 and 18) to qualify for a hunting license. In order for a minor to secure a hunting license in 1955 he must produce written permission from his parent or guardian and written evidence that he will either (a) be accompanied by a person 21 years or older at all times, or (b) possessed a license in a prior year, or (c) has a certificate of com- petency with firearms. The State plans to establish four safety schools for the training of minors under the Division of Law En- forcement, in various parts of the State, issuing certificates to those who pass the tests.
L. ISABELLE BRACKETT, Town Clerk
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$1,326.00
BIRTHS RECORDED FOR THE YEAR 1954 IN EASTHAM
Any Errors or Omissions in these Records Should be Reported to the Town Clerk at Once.
Date of Birth
Name of Child
Name of Father
Luther Marston Eldredge Theodore Francis Mickle James Richard Brewer Leslie Holbrook Morse Richard James Carpenter Donald Elroy Crawford Charles F. Atwood, Jr.
Name of Mother
Jan. 31
David Charles Eldredge
Feb. 2
Theodore Francis Mickle
Feb. 3
Linda Susan Brewer
Feb. 6 Leslie Ann Morse
Feb. 24
Joseph Alan Carpenter
Feb. 28
Phyllis Ann Crawford
Mar. 22
Patricia Gail Atwood
Mar. 25
Wendy Virginia Meads
Grafton Hamilton Meads
Apr. 6 Caroline Eleanor Collins
Robert Edward Collins
May 30 Patricia Ann Duffy
George Stanley Duffy
July 8
Deborah Avis Nickerson
Gordon Merwin Nickerson
Aug. 9
Deborah Anne Owen
Eugene Charles Owen
Aug. 10
John Frederick Milliken
Edmund Edgar Milliken
Constance Dill Ethel Harper
Aug. 11
Laura Mae Brown
Ellsworth Everett Brown George Robert Whiting Charles E. Gaspie
Geraldine Nickerson
Aug. 15
David George Whiting
Aug. 22
Jon Charles Howard Gaspie
Arthur C. Nickerson
Aug. 25 Joanne Lois Nickerson
Nov. 7 Robert David Smith
Nov. 22 Gerald Adelbert Harper
James A. Harper
Lillian Plouffe
Nov. 25 Marsha Anne McCray
Dec. 15 Noreen Elaine Lange
Kurt Paul Lange
Virginia E. Steele Helen A. McMakin
Joan Parmenter
Anna Richardson Claire Peters Irene Cecilia Bates
Jeanne Hogg Virginia Brookshire Teresa Stoke Adeline Fusco Helen Madden Shirley Roscoe
Beverly Anderson Marcia Cleaves Joan Murray
Clayton Francis Smith
William D. McCray
June Young Mabel Farnham
80
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN EASTHAM IN 1954
Date
Names
Residence
Jan. 10 Franklin E. Day
Diane M. Pierce
Eastham, Mass.
Brewster, Mass.
Eastham, Mass.
May 16 James H. Nichols, Jr. Mary Lois Rogge
Phoenixville, Penn. Schwenkville, Penn.
June 5 John Laurence Bresnahan Margaret Caroline Mary Gill
June 5 Wallace Lee Halyburton Margaret Dorothy Grobstein
June 26 Theodore Thomas Tansi Sydney Kingsbury Bartlett
Wellesley, Mass.
Worcester, Mass.
Old Lymme, Conn.
Eastham, Mass.
Jamaica, New York
Eastham, Mass.
July 2 John Edward Hathorne, Jr. Lorraine Frances Snow
Orleans, Mass. Orleans, Mass.
Aug. 9 Bruce Barton Penney Gloria May Lehtonen
Eastham, Mass. Ludlow, Vermont
Sept. 6 Leroy Edward Wilkins Janet Lincoln Gould
Sept. 11 William Robert Hathaway Maud Cary
Oct. 16 James B. Melcher, Jr. Barbara A. Johnson
Westport, Washington Eastham, Mass.
Bangor, Maine
Eastham, Mass.
Eastham, Mass. Cazenovia, New York
81
Stem, North Carolina
Eastham, Mass.
Eastham, Mass. Newington, Conn.
Oct. 30 Gerald E. Rogers Helena O. Cathcart
Dec. 15 Prince H. Hurd, Jr. Edna C. Mutter
Algonac, Michigan
Jan. 31 Eugene Charles Owen Shirley Ann Roscoe
DEATHS RECORDED IN EASTHAM IN 1954
Date of Death
Name
Age-Y M D
1953 Received in 1954
Dec. 12 Thomas J. McCann
56
1954
Feb. 16
Daisy Bertha Gill
73
Mar. 6 . Ray Allen Carter
55
9
28
Apr. 9 Evelyn Havener Paine
93
11
6
May 22 Harold W. Westlake
47
6
10
June 1 Albion F. Rich, Sr.
86
4
24
July 9 Julia Margaret Quill
42
8
16
July 11 Angie Maria Smith
83
6
11
July 11 Addie Louise Lapham Thygeson
93
29
July 28 Sarah Eliza Colby Robbins
94
9
2
Aug. 3' Elizabeth A. Edwards
85
1
7
Aug. 9
Charles Garbis Doramjian
65
11
15
Aug. 19 Carl Clifton French
77
11
13
Aug. 24 Dolph Melosh
71
6
27
Sept. 18 Charles S. Johnson
61
2
29
Nov. 1 Winfred Eugene Stickney
87
2
11
Nov. 29 Captain Abbott H. Walker
90
2
4
Dec. 6 George Peabody Holmberg
59
1 20
82
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Held in Eastham Auditorium, February 15, 1954
The Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M., by the Moderator, Winfred J. Knowles, and a prayer was offered by the Reverend Stephen Smith. The call of the meeting was read by the Town Clerk and there being no objections, the reading of the Articles was omitted. Marion Anderson and Dorothy Delaney were appointed as tellers and duly sworn by the Town Clerk.
Article 1. Voted to have a blackboard at the front of the hall showing the effect on the tax rate of the various articles in the warrant. Unanimous voice vote.
Voted not to take the Articles in the warrant out of rotation. Unanimous voice vote.
Article 2. Voted: to elect a Town Director for the Cape Cod Extension Service, and to instruct the Town Clerk to cast one vote for Joseph L. Putnam for Director. Unanimous vote.
Article 3. Voted: that the Town place the refunded Dog Tax at the disposal of the Public Library. Unanimous Voice Vote.
Article 4. Voted : to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1954 and to issue a note or notes therefor payable in one year and renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in ac- cordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Unanimous Voice Vote.
Article 5. Voted : to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of reimbursement for the financial year
83
beginning January 1, 1954 and to issue a note or notes there- fore payable in one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in ac- cordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Unanimous Voice Vote.
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