USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Hamden > Annual reports of the town of Hamden, state of Connecticut 1962 > Part 6
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In the ten meetings held during the past year, action was taken on 123 appeals and 12 applications.
Of the 123 appeals, dealing with minor uses that were non-conforming to the zoning regulations of the town, 97 were granted, 17 denied, and nine were withdrawn.
The applications for approval of licenses to auto repairs, used and new car dealers and gasoline service stations, were granted.
Samuel Galpin, Chairman
Irving Saslow, Vice-Chairman
Russell Ellis, Alfred Caruso, Robert McKiernan
Town Plan and Zoning Commission
One of the chief accomplishments of the year was the completion of the prepara- tions for the long-awaited studies leading to a comprehensive plan of development for the town, and a general revision of the zoning regulations and sub-division regulations. Arrangements were made with the firm of Goodkind & ()'Dea in Hamden to carry on the work. This will be financed by the town's appropriation, plus a contract with the federal government whereby the latter matches two dollars for every dollar of the funds used for the studies. The authorities of the State of Connecticut have approved the proposal and have recommended the studies to the federal government. The final approval of the latter is expected momentarily, whereupon the firm will start the planning studies, which will take about 18 months for completion.
The second phase of the studies of the industrial potential of the Sherman Avenue area was completed by Goodkind & O'Dea. The commission has recommended that the proposed development be initiated and carried on in stages as circumstances war- rant. A decision as to whether or not to proceed, now rests with the authorities of the town.
The commission has somewhat advanced its efforts to provide suitable areas for industrial development by increasing the light industry zoning in the State Street area. Some other areas have been discussed with the Industrial Development Committee.
Some minor revisions were made in the zoning regulations and in the by-laws. One feature of the latter is the setting up of an automatic rotation system so that each member of the commission will serve on the Planning Section and the Zoning Section in accordance with a definite time schedule.
A total of 46 meetings were held during the year, 17 by the full commission. 11 by the Zoning Section, and 18 by the Planning Section. Additional meetings were held with town officials and others.
The Zoning Section held nine public hearings and heard 14 petitions, of which nine were approved and five denied. The Planning Section held 18 meetings, con- sidered 14 sub-division applications, and reviewed 20 site plans. Record sub-division was granted for eight sub-divisions which created 51 new lots and 2/3 of a mile of new streets. All of the site plans were approved. The Planning Section also approved the street lines for five streets, after public hearings.
The commissioners wish to thank Robert DeMatteis for his assistance and gui- dance as legal counsel, and we gratefully acknowledge the help rendered by many others. and the consideration given by the public. The next two years will involve a great deal of important planning with the consultants, and the results should be very important in guiding the development of Hamden:
PLANNING SECTION Arnold Palleria, Chairman Joseph Juranie James Carney Joseph Piccirillo
Clarence W. Dunham. Chairman ZONING SECTION Robert Perkins, Chairman Frank Wollensack John Capone Josef Weinstein
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Engineering Department
A good description of the Engineering Department's effort this year might well be "impressive". Construction, surveys, design; studies and reports received the con- centrated attention of the personnel of this department. A total of 16 contracts were prepared this year with a monetary value of $348,757.18. Included were 24,671 linear feet of sanitary sewers, 17,252.2 linear feet of storm drainage, 158 manholes, 187 catch basins and 20,925 linear feet of road construction. In addition, there was supervision of sub-division construction which included, under private contracts he- tween developers and contractors, storm, sanitary sewers and road construction.
Streets within the town receiving sanitary sewer construction were: Woodin Street, Prospect Street, Kathrine Drive, Foote Street, Hartford Turnpike, Waite Street, Ridge Road, High Meadow Road, Jesswig Drive, Hawley Road, Charlson Lane, Jackson Road, Fennbrook Drive, Old Farm Road, Vineyard Road, Sidehill Road, Maple Street, Moulton Street, Gesner Place and State Street.
Town streets receiving storm drain construction were: Fans Rock Road, West- minster Street, Colony Street, Dorrance Street, Dixwell Avenue, Thompson Street, Churchill Road, Ridge Road, Pine Rock Avenue, Still Hill Road, Arch Street, Hill Street, Dessa Drive, Gillies Road and Chandler Place. Road surfacing and recon- struction were done on: Fans Rock Road, Ridge Road, Pine Rock Avenue, Still Hill Road, Hill Street and Kirk Road.
Studies and designs were completed for future sanitary sewer construction for the Weybossett Street area and Pearl Avenue area. Miscellaneous studies included: a drainage study for the Dessa Drive-Gillies Road area; a drainage study for the Fans Rock Road area; a study and preparation of construction plans and specifications for Sleeping Giant Junior High School recreation facilities; design and layout for WELI recreation area; design and layout for Paradise Hills recreation area; study and much effort for the Public Works garage site off Shepard Avenue; studies and preparation for the town in several active court cases; study for the town clerk on the increase in town area and gross land area.
This year we increased our aid to the traffic authority in numerous traffic stu- dies. We assisted them in preparing plans and specifications for the construction of islands for channeling traffic at Dixwell and Old Dixwell Avenues, and at Whitney and Washington Avenues. A detail study was accomplished for a one-way traffic pattern on Dixwell Avenue from Skiff Street to Shepard Avenue.
Services to other town departments have continued, with special attention to six new 50-scale maps for the assessors, which included much survey work on coordinate traverses and pick-up surveys. Of tremendous assistance this year has been a newly purchased theodolite, a precision transit, which has greatly increased the accuracy of the traverses. The selectmen were furnished a report on the problems of sidewalk installation in the Bear Path School area.
Studies of street line establishment were made for the Town Plan Commission on the following streets: Still Hill Road, River Road, Laura Road, Paradise Avenue, High Rock Road, Mansur Road, Building Brook Road, Gaylord Mountain Road, West l'odd Street and Mount Sanford Street. These streets contain over 37,000 linear feet for legal line establishment.
Daily routine continued on service work for sidewalks, sewer connections, acci- dent reports, street abandonment studies, indexing and other tasks.
My personal thanks to my staff for their efforts in a year which they helped to make "impressive."
Pasquale V. Zullo, Town Engineer
68
Stillhill Rd. before reconstruction.
Stillhill Rd. during reconstruction.
Stillhill Rd. completed.
69
After
During
Before
Hill St. near Paradise Avenue - Summer 1962.
Sanitary Sewer Manhole under construction - Spring 1962.
Drainage Installation
Rough Grading Operation Fan Rock Rd. between Kelly Rd. and Paradise Ave. - Summer 1962.
70
Public Works Department
The winter of 1961-62 was a fairly open one, but pavements were badly broken up all over town. So that the repair of severe winter break-up could be made, the Public Works Department started sweeping a huge accumulation of sand that had been used for ice control during the winter. This was followed by grading down high spots and patching the low ones for leveling purposes. Then the oiling crews applied RC-2 asphalt which was sanded and brush-dragged.
This procedure was carried on south of the Wilbur Cross Parkway and on many streets north of it, with the exception of a few that did not require the work, and some which received permanent paving.
A major road program was carried out throughout the town on a pay-as-you-go basis, and many residents have voiced the opinion that "roads in Hamden are the best ever."
This year 17 more streets received permanent paving, as did portions of five others. There is a total now of 85 streets or portions thereof that have received a pavement which should last from six to ten years, and this is economical where under- ground facilities have been installed. Mr. DeNicola started this program in 1958, and each year as much of it as is possible without jeopardizing other drainage and maintenance problems, is continued.
The following streets or portions thereof have been reconstructed during the year: Shepard Avenue north of Hillfield Road, Westminster Street, the south end of Savoy Street, and the north end of Handy Road.
Drainage work was done on Brooksvale Avenue and West Woods Road.
The following material was used for maintenance and improvements during the year :
51 street lights installed
13 street signs installed
286,581 gallons of asphalt for surfacing streets
11,730 tons of paving material (under contract)
15,773 yards of sand used on asphalt and icy conditions
785 tons of crushed stone
3,070 yards of bank-run gravel
3,509 tons of paving and patching material applied by our department
63 bags of cement
6 bags of lime
29 catch basins
9 manhole castings
1,500 sewer and sand brick
1.910 catch basin blocks
2,816 feet of reinforced concrete pipe in various sizes
803 tons of salt
1,100 feet of hard ice cross chain
1,400 lbs. of gutter broom wire
The sewer division controls and maintains 53 miles of storm drainage lines. checked and cleaned when necessary; 600 deep well catch basins, cleaned out with eductor and crew. Some require attention several times a year : 1.900 laterals, check- ed when necessary, and 1,900 catch basin grates cleaned after each storm.
Approximately 80 miles of sanitary sewer lines are cleaned out by sewer scooter or flushed out by hydrant pressure. A sewer roder is necessary in order to cut out roots which accumulate in certain lines during the year. Seven sanitary sewer pumping stations which require daily inspection, wet wells and floats, are cleaned weekly.
Approximately 1,500 feet of snow fence are erected in several locations about town during the winter months. We have better than 200 sand barrels in strategic locations; checked and filled whe necessary. Twenty-three trash barrels located in the business sections are emptied once a week.
71
The Park and Tree Division has topped and removed stumps of 140 town trees. Removal was necessary for the following reasons: tree roots raising sidewalks, roots growing in the sewer lines, areas where new sidewalks were ordered, installation of driveways, and diseased trees. The tree crew trimmed all trees in the central section of town, and elsewhere whenever needed. Brush cutting was done on rural roads and approximately 20 miles of brush were sprayed. Thirty-two parkways and Eli Whitney Park were fertilized, mowed and trimmed throughout the year. Tree and root damage necessitated replacing 324 blocks of concrete sidewalks and 284 feet of curbing.
As to snow removal, the Public Works crews produced excellent results on the 200 miles of highway in town. An accumulation of 36 inches of snow was recorded. Crews worked 16 days and 12 nights plowing snow; and 32 days and 14 nights sand- ing and salting the streets. The extensive use of salt helped to melt ice and snow and hastened better driving conditions. The use of 803 tons set an all-time high for Hamden. For convenience and economy the salt was purchased in bulk.
The backbone of the department and its efficiency can be measured by its men and equipment. One master mechanic and a mechanics helper are dedicated to main- taining and keeping in good repair :
21 trucks
3 rollers
2 graders
3 sweepers
2 loaders
17 snow plows
5 tractors
1 bulldozer
11 tailgate spreaders
7 sewer pumping station motors
3 hopper spreaders
5 pieces of sewer maintenance mechanical equipment
Last year one new sweeper, a new 8-10 cubic yard ten-wheel truck and a new 4-yard four-wheel drive truck were added to the fleet. This new equipment helped modernize our fleet, but we still have three trucks which are over ten years old, and others nearing the 'relic' category.
W est Todd St. - Gaylord Mt. Rd. - after sight improvement.
72
Demonstration of Public Works and Police Department street sign application at considerable savings.
Our preventive maintenance program is our real equipment saver. These perio- dic checks are made to all of our equipment whenever possible. Regular greasing. oil changes, tune-ups every 1,000 miles; together with more intensive checks every three months to hoists, plugs, tightening bolts, etc., gives added life to the fleet. Tail- gate sand spreaders were again rebuilt where necessary; parts were replaced, flash- ers installed, and they continue to be used heavily during winter and summer in our program.
As the year closes our snow plow maintenance and repair program begins. All plows and lifts are checked and repaired when necessary. An expert tire consultant examined all equipment rubberware, and his recommendations for replacement and recapping were implemented for greater safety and efficiency. With the continued expansion of the fleet, a stepped-up rotation plan for equipment replacement should be implemented. We will continue to do our best to keep the fleet on the road.
New Public Works Garage site before brook relocation.
73
Improving sight line by cutting back corner - Renshaw Rd.
Plowing through - right after the storm.
74
At work on Fans Rock Rd.
$ 7
DEPT
New four-wheel drive truck to combat winter storms.
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Mosquito Control Program
There were 183 possible breeding areas of mosquitoes located in Hamden in 1962. Eight of these were new locations, but five old places had been eliminated by fill or drainage, so there was an increase of only three locations over the previous year.
We were able to start spraying early in May this year, to control the spring species of mosquito. Due to the extremely dry summer, many of the usual breeding areas dried up, reducing considerably the amount of spraying required compared to that of the previous two years. Many places were visited nine to 12 times during the season. The dry season, as well as making possible the spraying of breeding areas frequently, kept the adult mosquito population relatively low in numbers. New Jersey Mosquito Larvicide was the spray used, as it is not injurious to fish, water fowl, plants or higher animals and man.
Mosquito larvae were collected at 98 different localities, and were identified at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station by Dr. Robert Wallis, and by Law- rence Beecher who was employed by the town in the summer. The cooperation of Dr. Wallis is greatly appreciated.
Fourteen species of mosquitoes were identified and the number of places at which they were collected :
30 Culex pipiens
2 Chaoboriae sp.
35 Culex restuans
1 Aedes triseratus
29 Culex territans
1 Anophelea puctipennis
24 Aedes stimulans
1 Psorophora sp. .
21 Culex salinarius
1 Culiseta sp.
20 Aedes vexans
14 Aedes sp.
12 Culex sp.
3 Uranotaenia sapphirina
2 Anopheles quadrimaculatus
6 too small to identify even to genus 6
Quite often the larvae collected were too small to identify beyond genus. Catch basins were sprayed between July 31 and August 6. The species found there were Culex pipiens and Culex restuans.
Fogging at night for adult mosquitoes was done several times during the latter part of June and again the last of August and early September. The areas near the recreation grounds and schools were fogged as well as the wooded areas surrounding some of the brooks and Mill River.
At this time I wish to extend my thanks to all department heads and town offi- cials for their cooperation, and ask for their continued support. Also I wish to thank all of the men in the department, the foremen and the superintendents.
Arthur L. Talmadge, Director
Board of Sewer Commissioners
The Board of Sewer Commissioners held five regular meetings and three public hearings in the past year.
Sewer construction in the West Sanitary District continued with Stanley Road and Perry Road being completed and assessed. Work in the East Sanitary District also proceeded with the final contract for Hartford Turnpike being let and work sub- stantially completed in the following streets:
Charlson Lane, Eastland Road, Fennbrook Drive, Hartford Turnpike, Hawley Road, High Meadow Road, Jackson Road, Jesswig Drive, Old Farm Road, Ridge Road, Sidehill Road, Townline Road, Vineyard Road, Waite Street.
All assessments in the State Street area were levied.
John DeNicola, Chairman John A. Herr, Ralph Maisano Sr. Louis Migliozzi, George Raccio
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11 Aedes canadensis
7 Anopheles sp.
Report of Hamden Associated Agents
Through the retrospective form of insurance installed last year, we were privi- leged to present the town with a return premium of $6,658, covering experience of 1960 and 1961.
We have continued the professional appraisal of town and Board of Education buildings, adding the new Bear Path School and additions to the high school.
We have met with members of the Board of Education to establish insurable values of new buildings and buildings under construction.
We continue to cooperate with the New England Rating Board in trying to ob- tain a lower fire classification for the Town of Hamden.
We investigated "tax-sheltered annuities" for Hamden public school teachers.
Contributions by our members to a scholarship fund now assist eight Hamden students to attend the college of their choice.
Our central office again assisted the town and the Board of Education in budget- ing the costs of insurance for the next fiscal year.
All claims presented under fire, compensation, or liability, were recorded in our central office, as were many requests for insurance information.
Roger F. Whalen, President
Employees' Federal Credit Union
In the spring of 1962 the selectmen granted permission for a survey of all muni- cipal town employees to determine if a sufficient number of them were interested in forming a credit union. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of one.
Several meetings were held with representatives of the U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare, Bureau of Federal Credit Unions.
At the close of the fiscal year, there were 147 active members making weekly contributions on a payroll deduction plan, and 35 loans had been made.
At the organization meeting the following members were elected: William Can- non of the engineering department, president; Fred Reynolds of the police department, vice-president ; Marilyn Cavalieri of the selectmen's office, secretary; and W. Donald Barnard of the treasurer's office, treasurer.
77
AUDITORS' REPORT
of The Financial Transactions
Of the Town of Hamden For the Fiscal Year Ended October 1, 1962 by Kircaldie, Randall and McNab
Certified Public Accountants
New Haven, Connecticut
78
TOWN OF HAMDEN INDEX TO AUDITOR'S REPORT
COMMENTS :
Scope of audit Condition of the records and general conduct of offices Resume' of financial transactions and general financial condition Tax Collector's accounts Bond and note indebtedness Recommendations Opinion
Page 81
82
82,83,84, & 85 85
85,86 87
79
TOWN OF HAMDEN Index to Auditor's Report
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES:
Exhibit
Schedule
Balance Sheets :
All Funds
A
General Fund
B
Capital Fund
C
Special Funds-Combined
D
Library Bookmobile Fund
D-1
Maude Fulford Kay Fund
D-2
Library Endowment Fund
D-3
Town Deposit Fund
D-4
Town and School Employees' Bond Account
D-5
Employees'Retirement Fund
D-6
Bond and Interest Coupon Account
D-7
Public Improvement Fund
D-8
Capital Projects Fund
D.9
Sewer Construction and Assessment Fund
D-10
Recreation Gift Fund
D-11
General Debt
F
Dog Fund Account-Statement of Revenues
and Expenditures
F
Treasurer's Cash Receipts and Disbursements-All Funds :
General Fund
G-1
Library Endowment Fund
G-2
Employees' Retirement Fund
G-3
Town Deposit Fund
G-4
Town and School Employees' Bond Account
G-5
Library Bookmobile Fund
G-6
Maude Fulford Kay Fund
G-7
Public Improvement Fund
G-8
Recreation Gift Fund
G-9
Sewer Construction and Assessment Fund
G-10
Capital Projects Fund
G-11
Revenues-Estimated and Actual, General Fund
H
Expenditures-Estimated and Actual, General Fund
I
Bond Indebtedness
J
Notes Payable-General Fund
K
Debt Statement
L M
Bond and Interest Coupon Account
N
Summary and Classification of Lawful Corrections
B-la
Statement of Confirmations
B-1b
Status of Town Aid Road Funds
B-2
Analysis of Changes in General Fund Surplus
B-3
Schedule of Changes-Town Owned Property
C-1
Schedule of Investments-Employees' Retirement Fund
D-6
Statement of Dog Fund
F-1
Schedule of Estimated and Actual Expenditures- Board of Education
I
80
B-1
Officials in Office and Employees' under Surety Bonds
Statement of Property Taxes
KIRCALDIE, RANDALL & MCNAB CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS NEW HAVEN . HARTFORD CONNECTICUT
January 18, 1963
The Board of Finance,
Town of Hamden,
Hamden, Connecticut.
Dear Sirs:
We have completed our annual examination of the accounts of
TOWN OF HAMDEN
for the fiscal year ended October 1, 1962 and have prepared the attached . Exhibits and Schedules which reflect the financial position of the various Funds of the Town at that date and the operating transactions for the year then ended.
Scope of audit: In the course of this examination we made a test check of the receipts of the various Town Departments and Funds and in tracing these receipts to the records of the Treasurer we were able to readily identify the details of the related items to specific deposits in the depository. We re- quested confirmations of all bank balances at the close of the year and recon- ciled all bank accounts. United States Government obligations held in safe- keeping by depositaries were also confirmed at the close of the year. In ex- cess of twenty-five per cent of the paid invoices were inspected by us to in- sure that proper authorization for the expenditure had been given, extensions and amounts were correct and that the proper account had been charged. The payment of one payroll during the year was supervised and we requested con- firmations in excess of ten per cent of the outstanding property tax and sewer assessment accounts.
Our examination was made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals and accordingly included such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We also observed the requirements as set forth by the State Tax Commissioner and the Municipal Auditing Act, Chapter III of the General Statutes of
81
Connecticut.
Financial reports pertaining to Student Activities in the Schools and the School Cafeteria System have been prepared and filed under separate cover under date of June 30, 1962 which is the fiscal year for these activities.
Condition of the records and general conduct of offices : As a result of our examination we believe that the financial affairs of the Town were con- ducted in a generally satisfactory manner and were within the scope of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut and the Special Acts and Ordinances of the Town, as revised.
The Office of the Treasurer deposited all receipts promptly, reconciled all bank accounts monthly and applied trade discounts to all invoices when available. It is our belief that there were no loose or improper methods in use in the general accounting practices of the Town.
Resume' of financial transactions and general financial condition : The General Fund Surplus of the Town increased $233,305 over that of the prior year. Major increases were noted in the cash, uncollected property taxes and advances made to the Board of Education. There were reductions in Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable as well as Appropriations continued in Force. The elements reflecting this favorable condition are set forth in the fol- lowing schedule :
Fiscal Year Ended
October 1, 1962
October 2, 1961
Increase or Decrease *
Assets :
Cash :
On hand
$ 988.00
$ 1,034.00
$ 46.00* 118,059.72
On deposit
300,354.13
182,294.41
Receivables :
Uncollected property taxes
391,324.76
360,756.80
30,567.96
State of Connecticut
75,303.19
86,267.99
10,964.80*
Other Towns
184.00
184.00*
Other
1,117.23
55,565.61
54,448.38*
Advances made to and liabilities
incurred for Board of Education
602,607.54
495,595.54
107,012.00
Sewer construction costs and
24,816.04
24,816.04
expenses not yet assessed
$1,396, 510.89
$1,206,514.39
$189,996.50
82
Fiscal Year Ended
Liabilities :
October 1, 1962
October 2, 1961
Increase or Decrease *
Accounts payable
$ 229,589.86
$ 182,672.28
$ 46,917.58
Appropriations continued in force
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