Annual Report for the Town of Duxbury for the Year Ending
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^ozvn of (Du7(Surij, Massacfuisetts m Annuat%efort .52.0744 )UX or the year ending ;ooo J "December 31, 2000 UNITED STATES SHIP DUXBURY BAY AVP - 38 The USS Duxbury Bay was built in the Lake Washington Shipyard near Houghton, Washington. She was launched in October 1944 and commissioned on 31 December 1944. The Duxbury Bay was a Seaplane Tender, She was a small one as tenders went; 310 feet long with a beam of 41 feet 2 inches, the ship drew about 12 feet of water and displaced about 2,000 tons. Top speed was 18 knots but cruising speed was 12-13 knots driven by twin diesel engines. The onboard guns were really defensive in nature and some of them were removed early in the ship's life. The naming of the ship was in keeping with the standard usage of the times. Seaplane Tenders provided safe haven and rest, just as protected bodies of water did for the aircraft. There were 34 other ships of the same class built near the end of the war and almost all got a similar naming treatment. Duxbury Bay participated in the invasion of Okinawa and the subsequent occupation of Japan. Off Okinawa she fought off Kamikaze attacks 7'" and several air attacks. The ship serviced one entire squadron of seaplanes by itself. From 1946 to 1950 she served the U.S. Fleet in China and Japan. An around-the-world cruise in 1949 found her conducting cold water operations in Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia in the fall. This was her last deployment as a seaplane tender. The next 15 years saw Duxbury Bay in the role of Command Ship and as a protocol platform from which the United States could practice diplomacy and "to show the flag" all over the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. The standard Navy Grey paint was replaced with a solid white in deference to the climate in her new patrol areas, in which temperatures often exceeded 110 degrees She became known as the Galloping Ghost of the Persian Coast as she slipped in and out of exotic ports all over the region. The ship would rotate back to Norfolk. Virginia regularly for refit and crew rest. Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 saw the Duxbury Bay at the Naval Base Guantanomo Bay, Cuba. There she was ordered to evacuate 341 dependent women and children with only a few hours notice Enroute to Norfolk, she needed an underway replenishment of 40 gallons of fresh milk for the children. Dunng the 22 years Duxbury Bay served the nation, she transited the Pacific Ocean at least three times and the Atlantic at least 10 times. She was also quite at home in the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Bay of Bengal, Mediterranean, Adhatic, Persian Gulf, Sea of Japan and just about every navigable body of water of interest to the U.S. Navy. Eventually the ship wore out and the decision was made to send Duxbury Bay to the breakers. On the 29"" of April, 1966 she was decommissioned Sold for scrap to the high bidder for $48,900, the ship was completely recycled. In honor of the decommissioning the Duxbury Board of Selectmen participated in "suitable services at the Long Bndge simultaneously" and the schools observed a minute of silence. The ship's bell is on semi-permanent loan to us and is on display at Town Hall. Text and Photo Prepared by Joseph G. Shea Commander United States Naval Reserve, Retired For Reference Not to be taken from this room 2000 Jinnuaf Sports of tfie (Boards, Committees, Commissions and(Departments Of the Town of(Dtv(6ury, Massachusetts (Board ofSeCectmen T^own Manager 'Margaret 'M. %earney, Cfi-airman ^ccoj. Congo John J. Tuffy _^ndre 'Martecchim Duxbury Free Library GEOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION AND TOWN GOVERNMENT STATISTICS FOR DUXBURY Municipal Offices Location: Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by 878 Tremont St., Duxbury, MA 02332 Pembroke on the west, Marshfield on the north, Main Switchboard: 781-934-1100 Kingston on the south, and the Atlantic Ocean on (see back cover for direct lines) the east and southeast. Duxbury is 33 miles Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday south of Boston and 246 miles from New York City. Form of Government 3-Member Elected Board of Selectmen Total Area: 37.63 sq. miles Town Manager Open Town Meeting{s) Land Area: 23.76 sq. miles Year Incorporated as a town: 1637 Population: 15,057 (Town Clerk, 12/2000) Registered Voters (Town Clerk 12/2000) Density: 634 per sq. mile Number % Total Registered 10.559 Climate: (National Climatic Data Center, Plymouth Station) Democrats 1.897 18% Republicans 2.577 25% Normal temperature in January: 26.5°F Oltier parties 35 <1% Normal temperature in July: 71.0°F Unenrolled voters 6.050 57% Normal annual precipitation: 48.8" U.S. LEGISLATORS STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION US Senator Edward M. Kennedy State Senator Robert L. Hedlund 315 Russell Senate BIdg. Room 413-E US Senate State House Washington DC 20510 Boston, MA 02133 (202) 224-4543 617-722-1646 senator@kennedy senate gov RHedlund@senate state ma us US Senator John F. Kerry State Francis L. Marini 304 Russell Senate BIdg. Representative Room 124 US Senate State House Washington DC 20510 Boston, MA 02133 224-2742 (202) 617-722-2100 john_kerry@kerry senate gov Rep FrancisManni@tiou slatema us US William Delahunt Congressman 1317 Longworth House Plymouth County 1 1 South Russell St. Washington, DC 20505 Commisioners Plymouth, MA 02360 (202-255-3111) 508-830-9100 William [email protected] gov IN MEMORIUM SERGEANT WILLIAM K. LAFLEUR, SR. Police Sergeant Bill LaFleur faithfully served the Town of Duxbury for 33 years, retiring in 1993. Twenty-two of those years, he served in the capacity of Sergent on the midnight shift. Many young officers gained their first police experiences under Sgt. La La's guidance. He was a devoted fhend and mentor to those under his command. He loved his work and was proud to be a police officer for the town in which he resided. Sgt. LaFleur dedicated his life to his family, church, and community. He left a legacy of honorable public service and loyal friendship. We will miss that twinkle in his eye, his engaging laugh, and his practical jokes. Bill's memory will always be a proud part of the Duxbury Police Department's history. BOARD OF SELECTMEN 3 TOWN MANAGER 4 REPORTS OF THE TOWN CLERK 6 TOWN OFFICIALS - 2000 6 - ANNUAL TOWN MEETING SATURDAY, MARCH 1 1 , 2000 13 - SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 1 1 , 2000 30 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE 12, 2000 31 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION 33 DUXBURY TOWN ELECTION 35 STATE PRIMARY ELECTIONS 36 PRESIDENTIAL AND STATE ELECTION 38 MARRIAGES RECORDED IN DUXBURY IN 2000 41 DEATHS RECORDED IN DUXBURY IN 2000 43 CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 46 CONSERVATION COMMISSION 47 PERSONNEL BOARD 48 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLANNING COMMITTEE 49 COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING/ZONING BYLAW IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE 50 PLANNING BOARD 51 HISTORICAL COMMISSION 52 TOWN HISTORIAN 53 FIRST NITE 53 DUXBURY BEACH COMMITTEE 55 FIRE DEPARTMENT 56 HARBORMASTER 57 BEACH OPERATIONS 58 SHELLFISH CONSTABLE 59 SHELLFISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE 60 WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE 60 HIGHWAY SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 61 INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 62 BOARD OF HEALTH 64 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 65 SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 65 POLICE DEPARTMENT 66 ANIMAL CONTROL 67 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 69 CEMETERY DEPARTMENT 70 LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES 71 HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 71 WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT 72 WATER ADVISORY BOARD 73 DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY 76 RECREATION 77 NORTH HILL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 78 COUNCIL ON AGING 80 DUXBURY CULTURAL COUNCIL 81 HOUSING AUTHORITY 82 MUNICIPAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY 83 PLYMOUTH COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION 84 OLD COLONY PLANNING COUNCIL AREA AGENCY ON AGING 85 VETERANS' SERVICES 85 DUXBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 87 ASSESSING DEPARTMENT 90 FINANCE COMMITTEE 91 FISCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 92 INFORMATION SERVICES 93 COLLECTOR 94 TREASURER 96 TRUST FUNDS 98 ACCOUNTING 104 1 GENERAL GOVERNMENT Board of Selectmen Town Manager Town Clerk Cable Advisory Board Conservation Commission Personnel Board Open Space and Recreation Comprehensive Planning/Zoning Bylaw Implementation Planning Board Historical Commission Town Historian First Nite BOARD OF SELECTMEN The year 2000 began with a wonderful First Nitto celebration and ended with another First Nite to usher in 2001. In the intervening months a lot happened in our town. One of the most significant events was the opening of the Ashdod Fire Station in June. Construction of Duxbury's first Senior Center began in July, and the building should be completed in May. Plans are currently being developed for major school construction. For all these projects, the Town has been fortunate to receive voluntary services from several citizens. Not only does the Town save money, but perhaps more important, the resulting projects have had the support of townspeople even before they have been voted on at Annual Town Meeting. Having our Board meetings televised has also helped to inform citizens on projects and issues affecting the town. As a result of last year's Annual Town Meeting, three study committees were established: the Sidewalk Study Committee, the Recreation Facilities Study Committee, and the Comprehensive Plan Zoning Bylaw Implementation Committee (CPZBIC). All three committees worked diligently, meeting through the summer and often on a weekly basis. The Sidewalk Committee is working on a rating system to determine such criteria as population density, traffic volume, and street width to be used for determining which streets should have sidewalks and when they might be constructed. The Recreation Study Committee concluded that the town needs to construct additional athletic fields and help those citizens interested in an ice facility to find a suitable location.