USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1957-1961 > Part 18
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The Board also lent its support to the "clean-up" cam- paign conducted on a voluntary basis last spring. It is sug- gested that this might become an annual campaign in pre- paring our Town for the summer visitors.
Special mention is made here of the fine job done by Mr. Earl K. Horton in maintaining the town dump.
Relatively few problems faced the Board during the past year and we wish to thank the Townspeople for the cooperation shown us in the performance of our duties.
Respectfuly submitted.
PRINCE H. HURD. JR., Chrm.
LUTHER P. SMITH MAURICE W. WILEY Board of Health
66
Report of the Brewster-Orleans-Eastham Ambulance Association, Inc.
RECEIPTS
Brewster
$1,500.00
Orleans
3,000.00
Eastham
1,500.00
Donations
1,149.87
Interest
146.04
Total Receipts
$7,295.91
Balance-January 1, 1959
4,666.29
Replacement Fund
4.548.21
$16,510.41
EXPENSES
Gas, Oil and Tires
$ 646.65
Drivers
3,055.00
Meals
166.50
Laundry
72.40
Repairs
515.69
Equipment and Supplies
29.62
Insurance
205.50
Storage
240.00
Miscellaneous
9.00
Total Expenses
$4,940.36
Balance-January 1, 1960
4,255.50
Replacement Fund
7,314.55
$16,510.41
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TRIPS
Brewster
4.5
Orleans
103
Eastham
44
Other
10
202
Mileage :
January 1, 1960-approximate
81,078
January 1, 1959-approximate
65,228
15,850
The ambulance is available for emergency use at any time, day or night. There is no charge for this service, other than oxygen, but the Association is glad to receive donations to aid in meeting its expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
R. FREDERICK RADDIN, President,
PRINCE H. HURD, JR. Secretary-Treasurer
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
-
To the Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1959.
One hundred and sixty-six (166) building permits were issued during the year and 450 inspections were made.
The estimated cost of all buildings for the year was $890,841.00.
The sum of $893.00 was collected and turned into the Treasurer as fees for building permits.
Permits were issued for the following buildings :
Dwelling
109
Additions
42
Garages
8
Motels
4
Gift Shop
1
Work Shops
2
166
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH L. ROGERS, Building Inspector
69
CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
December 26, 1959
To the Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1959.
Numerous training classes were held during the past winter and spring. Twenty-one persons took the Red Cross first aid course, instructed by John R. Tulis, Red Cross Safety Director.
The Advanced first aid course will be given during the coming winter.
During the early spring six ladies from Eastham attend- ed the welfare training course. sponsored jointly by the Cape Cod Extension Service and Sector 2-C Civil Defense. Classes were held at the Barnstable County Court House.
The Course was set up and supervised by Miss Myrtis Beecher of the Extension Service.
On April 26, graduation exercises were held in the Eastham town hall, featuring a demonstration in emergency welfare work. Participating in the demonstration were: The American Red Cross, Cape Cod Extension Service and Civil Defense units from the State level down to the local CD. After the exercises approximately one hundred persons were served clam chowder by the local CD mass feeding team.
It is very unfortunate that during June the State had
70
to curtail their CD services because of lack of funds. It is hoped however that during the early part of 1960 the State will again activate the Area and Sector offices.
In late October and early November two men from the local unit took the advanced rescue training, at Topsfield CD training center, and received diplomas in advanced res- cue work.
I wish to thank the Selectmen and all the town depart- ment, heads for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE E. DOUGHTY, Director
71
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Board of Selectmen :
We hereby submit a report of the amounts authorized to be transferred from the Reserve Account by dates of expenditure, and also a summary of the same :
May 14, 1959 Library
$350.00
May 14, 1959
Dog Account
8.00
June 29, 1959
Health Account 60.53
July 17, 1959
Health Account
100.00
July 17, 1959
Library Account
600.00
July 17, 1959
Pest Control
200.00
Aug. 28, 1959
Recreation Commission
85.00
Sept. 30, 1959
Miscellaneous Account
700.00
Sept. 30, 1959
Town Nurse
50.00
Sept. 30, 1959
Old Mill
300.00
Sept. 30, 1959
Recreation Commission
105.00
Sept. 30, 1959
Election and Registration
10.00
Sept. 30, 1959
Wire Inspection
40.00
Nov. 17, 1959
Veterans Account
600.00
Dec. 30, 1959
Assessors' Abstracts
5.54
Dec. 30, 1959
Selectmen & Assessors' Expenses 50.96
Dec. 30, 1959
Police Department
129.52
Dec. 30, 1959
Wire Inspection
66.00
Dog Officer
84.00
Total
$3,544.55
SUMMARY
Library
$350.00
600.00
$ 950.00
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Dog Officer
$ 8.00
84.00
92.00
Health
$ 60.53
100.00
160.53
Pest Control
$200.00
200.00
Recreation Commission
85.00
105.00
190.00
Miscellaneous Account
$700.00
700.00
Town Nurse
50.00
50.00
Old Mill
300.00
300.00
Election and Registration
$10.00
10.00
Wire Inspection
$40.00
66.00
106.00
Veterans' Account
600.00
Assessors' Abstracts
5.54
Selectmen's and Assessors' Expenses
50.96
Police Department
129.52
Total
$3,544.55
During the year, we reviewed the activities of some of our other committees in regard to their finances and made some recommendations to them for control purposes. These recommendations and suggestions were well received.
It is the opinion of some of the members of the Finance Committee that the present term of three years is too short, inasmuch, at the end of the term, the members are just beginning to know their duties and how to evaluate the re- quests made of them. The present method is excellent but the term of office, it is believed, should be extended by a year or two.
73
With this Town Meeting, your chairman's term comes to an end and I wish to express to the people of Eastham my thanks for the privilege of serving as a member of the Finance Committee and as its chairman for the past three years.
Respectfully submitted,
WARRENTON A. WILLIAMS Chairman
74
REPORT OF THE EASTHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
During the year 1959, the firemen were busy with pro- jects to benefit the townspeople. First was the sponsoring of the Boy Scouts, Scoutmaster and Assistant, operating the Scouts paper drive. Bill Woodworth instituted the Fire- man's Relief Scholarship Fund which will benefit an East- ham graduate by $150.00.
Deputy Clarence Doughty and Captain Ernest Hollis went to Topsfield, Mass., for extensive rescue training which will be taught to the rest of the firemen this winter. Your Chief has spent sixteen nights at Hyannis Fire Station with representatives from the other fifteen Cape towns learning approved Training Methods to be used at the Barnstable County Fire Training School. Eastham participated at the dedication in October and had two classes there before cold weather. Christmas trees were sold for the benefit of the Scholarship Fund, and any tree brought to the station was sprayed with a fire retardant.
Two thousand, five hundred and forty miles were travel- ed by the trucks for fires and drills in 1959. Our most ex- pensive fires were the homes of Herbert Fulcher on Route 6 and Leonard Horton on Bay Road, North Eastham.
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The following is a breakdown of the Calls and Alarms during the year :
Grass 8
Investigations 19
Flooded Stoves
2
Car 1
Silent Alarms
10
Emergencies 26
Buildings
4
Permits and Inspections 235
Out of Town Calls
2
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. HILFERTY, Fire Chief
76
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
To the Board of Selectmen
Chapter 81
To Appropriation $ 4,000.00 By Payment $15,000.00
By State 11,000.00
$15,000.00
Laborers' Wages $1,659.03
Surveyors' Wages 504.00
2,163.03
Equipment Rental : With Operators
Trucks and
Operators
3,119.25
Power Grader 315.00
Tractor Shovels 1,566.50
Bulldozer 396.00
Tractor & Mower 302.50
Chip Spreader 57.50
Crane 24.00
5,780.75
Materials and Supplies
Asphalt 6,091.75
Hot Mix
254.06
Catch Basins
124.44
Grates and Frames 129.00
Snow Salt
222.00
Concrete Posts 100.00
Express
62.43
Signs
71.00
Gasoline
1.54
7,056.22
$15,000.00
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The following roads were given Asphalt treatment during 1959.
Nauset Beach Road
Thumpertown
Schoolhouse
Pond
Shurtleff
Weir
Massasoit
Nauset Light
Herring Brook
Higgins
Kingsbury Beach
Nauset
Bay View
Cooks Brook
Sunken Meadow So.
McKoy
Steele
Meadow
Bridge
Samoset
Ocean View
Smith Lane
Governor Prence
Meeting House
Brackett
Camp Ground
At the present time the Town has a Chapter 90 project under construction, which consists of grading and rebuilding Hemenway Road.
The road is to be built to awidth of twenty-four feet of asphalt surface with five foot shoulders. This project of grading will be completed in the spring and ready for the asphalt surface.
In 1959 the Highway Department purchased two sand spreaders which are used for seal coating and also for Ice control. They have worked out very satisfactorily. I am in hopes of getting one more this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathan A. Nickerson, Sr. Highway Surveyor
78
REPORT OF THE TOWN LIBRARIAN
Eastham, Mass. Dec. 17, 1959
To the Board of Selectmen :
The number of people who have used the library this year totals 4,306.
The book and magazine circulation was 9,019.
Fines for the year amounted to $86.34.
Respectfully submitted, CHRISTINE YOUNG, Librarian
79
LIBRARY TRUSTEES REPORT
The past year has been a busy one at the Library and its increasing popularity with readers of all ages is very apparent. Its use by the summer population has also been greater and it is sincerely hoped that the Library will con- tinue to grow to meet the increasing demands upon it by everyone. The Trustees will make every effort to facilitate its growth and usefulness to the community at large.
We are most pleased to have Mrs. Sadie Flint join us as Trustee.
We regret that our finances were not adequate this year to meet all bills and that we had to ask the Finance Com- mittee for help. The extensive repairs which had to be made before and after the Terminex Company corrected the termite situation were more than we had foreseen.
Mrs. Nathena Cole resigned as Librarian, much to our dismay. We are most appreciative and grateful for all the work she did and for the many friends she made for the Library.
We were fortunate in being able to have Mrs. Christina Young take over Mrs. Cole's duties. Mrs. Young has been a summer resident for years and a year round resident lat- terly. She had Library training in Reading where she form- erly lived.
We lost a friend and co-Trustee with the passing of Mrs. Elgie Milliken. We shall miss her very much. Mrs. Margaret J. Campbell has been appointed by the Selectmen to fill out her term. We are glad to have her on the Board again.
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We appreciate Mr. A. Burnett Cole's continued interest and good work as Library custodian.
Mrs. Young has suggested that, summer season only, the Library should be open on Fridays. We think this would be to the advantage of all.
We regret that we were unable to buy more books for children and adults but, hope that this will be corrected next year.
Respectfully submitted,
LORNA B. HORTON, Chairman SADIE FLINT MARGARET J. CAMPBELL
81
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Selectmen :
The scouting and trapping program was carried out this year in the same manner as in past years. This program enables the Conservation Department to trace the move- ments of the Gypsy Moth.
To date, none of the Elm trees on Town Roads have been infested with Dutch Elm Disease, and it is hoped that they will remain healthy.
The spraying program continues to be carried on to good advantage, with a wider coverage this past year than ever before.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Nathan A. Nickerson, Road Surveyor. for his donations of brush spray and assistance to the Depart- ment. This has enabled the Department to make the road intersections and railroad crossings safer for the motoring public.
I also want to thank the voters for their confidence by electing me to this office, and state that I have enjoyed doing this work for the Town's benefit. The department has plans for carrying the program further in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES P. ESCOBAR Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent.
82
REPORT OF THE OLD MILL
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Old Windmill was opened on June 14th and closed on September 27th. There were over 20,000 visitors, which is almost three thousand more than there were last year. This, I think, is due to the new park and the fact that the mill is much more visible from the highway.
Sales for the season amounted to $1,163.72 and the dona- tions totaled $883.27.
The donations include a gift of $200.00 from the East- ham Improvement Society, for which we wish to express our thanks. This money was used toward the purchase of split rail fencing around the new park.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD COLE, Miller
83
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Board of Selectmen
During 1959 the Planning Board approved five sub- divisions containing a total of 75 lots. It is interesting to note that very few of these lots were of the minimum size. Many of them were closer to an acre in area rather than the 20,000 square feet minimum.
A good portion of our time during the last year was spent in connection with the proposed National Park includ- ing the initiating of the survey made by the Blair Associates.
There are a few other things of interest which have been discussed during the year.
One of the more important is the question of creating certain regulations for the construction of private ways in subdivisions.
In many towns on the Cape and elsewhere, the Plan- ning Board will not give final approval for a subdivision plan until the roads have been cleared, graded and harden- ed to certain specifications set up by the Board of the re- spective towns. Theoretically at least, when these roads are petitioned to become town ways, they are in a condition which the town can accept without spending much on con- struction or repair. We believe that some such regulations will be put into effect this coming year.
Another matter that deserves some attention is the matter of open space zoning which is a somewhat newcomer to the zoning picture.
84
This type of zoning enables a town to set aside certain areas for parks or for wildlife cover. It applies particularly to Eastham, we think, with regard to our tidal marshes. These could be preserved as they are today through the use of open space zoning just as effectively as by acquisition by the Town and at a fraction of the cost.
We hope to be able to learn more details of this during the coming year and to be able to present an intelligent proposal on how it could be used to the best advantage.
Respectfully submitted,
EASTHAM PLANNING BOARD,
Prescott B. Cummings
Eugene S. Zack Clarence E. Doughty Bernard C. Collins, Jr. A. H. Nickerson
85
REPORT OF CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and The Citizens of Eastham
Greetings :
I herewith submit the annual report of the proceedings and recommendations of the Town Conservation Commis- sion.
The past year has seen a marked broadening in the scope of the work of the Conservation Commission. New areas of study have been opened as the result of increasing problems and greater public interest in the Natural Re- sources of the Town, and the use and management of these assets.
In order to provide the Town with an accurate perspec- tive of the land use pattern in the Town, the Commission has been preparing a land index of the entire town area. This index when completed will provide information valu- able for future land use planning and resource management.
As the result of its studies the Commission submits the following recommendations for the consideration of the Town.
Recreational Resource Management
a. The Commission recommends that proper control measures be promptly instituted by the Town to har- monize the multiple uses of the Town's recreational areas. Increased use of Town Beaches and Waters by bathers, fishermen, beach-buggy operators, water- skiers and boating enthusiasts is already presenting conflicts of interests and safety hazards.
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b. At present the Town does not maintain any small boat launching ramps on the tidal waters. The Com- mission recommends that at least one appropriately located launching facility be maintained on the Bay- side and on the Town Cove or Nauset Marsh. The launching ramp on Great Pond has proven its useful- ness, however, at this time consideration might well be given to changes in the structure to provide a stronger ramp.
c. The Commission recommends the establishment of a Town Park Commission to develop and maintain a long range Beach and Park program. The recent planning study report made for the Town by the Blair Associates recommended such a program. The Commission believes that establishment of a Park Commission should be the first step on that program.
Forest Fire Control
a. The Commission recommends that the fire lanes in the undeveloped forest, areas of the Town be cleared of re-growth to facilitate access of apparatus. The Commission also recommends that water holes be maintained in the swamp areas south of Cable Road.
Pond Pollution and Public Health
a. The increase in building on the pond fronts and ad- jacent lowland areas increases the potential danger of pollution through improper sewerage disposal. The Commission recommends that the Board of Health give particular scrutiny to all new sewerage systems installed in these areas.
b. Littering ! Every year we see more of the "Litter- bug's" trademarks in our Town. Not only does lit- tering deface the Town, it contributes to the public health hazard and the forest fire hazard. The Com- mission strongly urges a citizen campaign to combat
87
the "Litterbug." Our most attractive natural assets lose their appeal when strewn with trash.
Natural Resource Management and Protection
a. Wetlands and tidal estuaries, or, as we know them on the Cape, Marshes and Salt Meadows, are a nat- ural scenic asset to the town. Aside from their beauty these areas are also of great value in the wildlife resources. Not only are they the habitat of waterfowl and fish-life and as such valuable recrea- tional assets but they are of proven value as sources of plankton and other marine creatures essential to the marine fisheries. At present the Town has no con- trol over the future uses of these areas although they are one of the Town's major natural assets. Although they have been undisturbed for centuries there is no guarantee that they will enjoy natural security in- definitely. Cape Cod has already seen a number of its marshlands converted to marinas; and dredge and fill operations are converting meadowlands to resi- dential developments in numerous areas along the coast. The meadowlands of the Bayshore are partic- ularly vulnerable as some of them have a subsoil strata which makes them prime targets for dredge and fill operations.
The Commission believes that the Town would be well advised to Zone these wetland areas for Conservation. Such a method of protection was out- lined in the Sketch Master Plan in the Blair Associ- ates Report. However, it should be borne in mind that these areas are multiple use areas now and have been for centuries. Any Zoning adopted for the wet- lands should not infringe upon their proper use by Sportsmen, nor should such Zoning stand in the way of necessary harbor facility expansion. Careful plan- ning can maintain the wetlands as areas of scenic
88
value, economic importance, and as recreational re- sources. The Commission recommends prompt action to protect these areas.
Alewive Runs
The Commission is currently making a study in con- junction with the Division of Marine Fisheries on meth- ods of restoring the "herring runs" to a productive state. Aside from their value in the herring fishery the alewife provides forrage fish for the gamefish of the fresh water herring ponds and also provides food for ocean gamefish including Striped Bass and Tuna. Inas- much, as sport fishing is important to the economy of this area the value of the herring runs is far reaching and important to the Town.
Erosion
a. The Erosion Study Report of the Area engineers rela- tive to the Bayshore has been received by the Com- mission but at this writing the Commissioners have not had an opportunity to reach any conclusions on the matter.
b. The erosion problem on the ocean front becomes more acute every year as the dune barrier recedes. Although there is probably no feasible way to halt the erosion on this shore, it is possible to retard it in some areas by preventing unnecessary erosion caused by man. The principal natural erosion deterant is the beach grass. Foot traffic and beach buggy traffic should be carefully controlled to prevent destruction of the natural cover. In particular the Commission recommends that the dunes by the Town Parking Lot at Coast Guard Beach be protected as a means of prolonging the useful life of the lower parking area.
89
>
Planning For the Future
The recent planning study prepared for the Planning Board by the Blair Associates contained several suggestions which were of particular interest to the Conservation Com- mission. Reference is made to the Sketch Master Plan show- ing how the town could develop without the National Park and under a well prepared Master Plan. On the Sketch Plan are shown Conservation Districts.
The Commission had been studying the prospects of Conservation Zoning and Planning previous to the time of the Blair Study, and we were most interested to note that these planning concepts were in the Sketch Master Plan.
Although these new planning concepts have been ad- vanced elsewhere for sometime, it was not until recently that they were effected in Massachusetts. The Town of Dover, Massachusetts, pioneered in the field by adopting the first Open-Space and Conservancy Zoning By-law in the Commonwealth.
The Conservation Commission has considered carefully the merits of overall planning for Conservation and Recre- ational Resource development in the Town and we are of the unanimous opinion that such an approach offers a far more workable and beneficial program for preserving the essentials of the Town's natural character than any other proposal advanced to date.
Inasmuch as the greater part of the Town's wetland areas, all of the Town's major ponds, and the bulk of the accessible beaches are in the western side of the town, the Commission feels that the proposals for Conservation and recreational resource development offered by the National Park Proposal are inadequate and inconsiderate of the ad- verse effect that may be felt on the resources outside the Park as the result of its creation.
90
The Commissioners therefore recommend that the Town investigate thoroughly the merits of "Open-Space" plan- ning as a more thorough and beneficial method of preserving the Natural Assets of the Town as a whole, and as a method of nourishing the healthy growth of Eastham.
For the Conservation Commission
EDMUND E. MILLIKEN.
Chairman
91
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
-
December 31, 1959
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Eastham :
I hereby submit my report of the duties and activities of the Police Department of the Town of Eastham.
1. PATROL DUITIES :
Covering the entire town year round.
32,812 miles driven by the Police Cruiser.
Approximately 600 miles by other cars used in police work.
From June to September the cruiser was in patrol oper- ation for approximately 19 hours per day.
2. PARKING AREAS:
Parking cars at all large functions at the Town Hall. Parking cars at Nauset Light Beach and Coast Guard Beach when needed.
Attending to parking at churches, when improper on- street parking would create a traffic hazard.
3. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND
VIOLATIONS :
Written warnings issued 5
License and/or Registration referred to
Registry for action 169
Auto accidents investigated 32
Persons injured 15
Arrests for Motor Vehicle violations 21
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Motor Vehicle court cases
Convictions
21 19
4. COMPLAINT INVESTIGATED :
Total number of complaints investigated
873
Breaking and Entering 3
Malicious Destruction of Property
3
Estimated Damage
$237.00
Defraud by check (over $100.00)
2
Prowler complaint
1
Drunk complaints
Illegal use of firearms
4
Dog complaints
4
Non-support
1
Arrests
5
Convictions
3
Trips to Taunton State Hospital
4
Summons served 21
5. ROUTINE DUTIES :
Assists to other Police Departments 23
Assists by other Police Departments 17
Messages delivered to and from residents and summer visitors 70
Motor Vehicle transfers issued
38
Pistol permits issued
12
Gunsmith and Dealer licenses issued
2
Complete inspection of all unoccupied dwellings
1959 showed a vast increase in the amount of traffic through and in our town. Over the years we have heard the warnings ... warnings which many thought were exag- gerations. Now we have seen the proof. We can expect a continual growth in the amount of traffic and the accom- panying increase in accidents and other problems.
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