USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1945-1947 > Part 18
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Danger Points
The approaches to the Sudbury River on Old Sudbury Road were improved some years ago as a result of a petition to the county in which this Board cooperated. A recent fatal accident there caused the Board to call the attention of the Selectmen and Road Commissioners to the need for additional warning signs. A petition is in the files of the county commis- sioners, not yet acted on, for relocation of Old Sudbury Road. The need for better warning at Dead Man's Curve has been presented to the State's Chief Highway Engineer by the Board.
Study of the improvement of Lake Shore Drive around
152
Dudley Pond was temporarily laid aside but it is hoped to resume it in 1947.
Other Matters
No development of importance has taken place during the year in connection with the proposed by-pass on Route 20, the State Road, but the Board has kept regularly in touch with the State Department of Public Works and action is anticipated before another year has passed.
Frank Tarr, representing the Board, has served on the special committee on water extension. The Board joined other town officers in the petition for a bus line to Framingham via Old Connecticut Path.
Other problems confronting the town too numerous for specific mention have been considered and we appreciate the many suggestions of interested citizens.
Need for Manual of Practice
One need which is constantly evident is for a manual, available to all who can use it, to contain all the by-laws and regulations of the town and its governing bodies. Regulations might well be prepared by all boards now lacking them which would make it possible for a citizen or business man dealing with the town to know precisely what he has to do to conform to the town's practice and what costs he must meet.
Thanks
Our thanks is especially due to the Town Counsel for his very helpful assistance in the legal aspect of our work on by- laws and regulations. We particularly value the assistance year after year of our engineer, Mr. Everett Brooks, whose help often goes so far beyond what we can properly compensate him for.
We appreciate the co-operation of the Selectmen, Asses- sors, the Highway Department, Water Board, Finance Com- mittee and other officers who have from time to time met and consulted with us. It is such working together, with the sup- port of interested citizens that will make the Wayland of the future a beautiful, desirable and economically operated town.
FRANK S. TARR, ALLAN R. FINLAY, CHESTER H. HOBBS, HOWARD S. RUSSELL, CARL T. EMERY, B. ALLEN BENJAMIN,
Planning Board.
153
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE For the Year Ending December 31, 1946
December 31, 1946.
Drunkenness
28
Disturbing the peace
3
Operating under the influence
8
Operating so as to endanger
8
Leaving the scene
1
Assault and Battery
4
Larceny
2
Other auto violations
21
Non Support
4
Adultery
8
Trespassing
2
Breaking and entering in the night time
21
Carrying a revolver
1
Ringing false alarms
3
Auto without authority
1
Misappropriation of a car
1
Lewd and Lacivious
1
This list includes arrests made by the State Police.
The Wayland Police served, during 1946, One Hundred and Eight Summons and Warrants.
ERNEST H. DAMON,
Chief of Police.
154
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
The Fire Engineers organized as follows for 1946:
Theodore H. Harrington, Chief
Ernest H. Damon, Deputy Chief, and Clerk of the Board
Homer L. MacDonald, Electrician
F. Clifton Haynes, District Chief, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas E. Hynes Frank H. Carter, Clerk of the Wayland Company
The Wayland Fire Department had the busiest year on record. The two companies answered a total of 157 calls, as compared to 73 in 1945.
This goes to show how unpredictable is the setting up of a budget to care for the needs of a volunteer department.
There was a large increase in fires where buildings were involved. This included chimney fires and oil burner fires, making a total of 32 calls compared to 19 in 1945.
In June, there was a disastrous fire in the River View sec- tion which destroyed three cottages, due to lack of available water supply. This situation has been partly remedied by the installation of a water hole, and by building a road to the Sud- bury River. These improvements have partly remedied the situation but still necessitate the laying of long lines of hose. The final and real solution will be the installation of fire hy- drants.
There were 18 calls to dump fires. This has caused too large an item of expense, and it would seem that more constant supervision of these sites would prevent the existing hazard by proper burning in the day time, and stop the heavy mantle of smoke which overhangs the Cochituate section during the night.
Woods and grass fires accounted for 60 alarms, most of which occurred in the Spring. There was a large number of calls for various causes, principally of an emergency nature ;
155
such as, drownings, gas leak, lost child, out-of-town calls, fallen wires, cars in the Sudbury River, and auto fires due to collisions.
The Cochituate station is in a very bad state of repair and unless other quarters are available before long, extensive repairs will have to be made. The building does not warrant the expen- diture of any large amount of money, due to the age of the building and the type of construction.
THEODORE H. HARRINGTON, ERNEST H. DAMON, HOMER L. MacDONALD, FRANK H. CARTER, F. CLIFTON HAYNES, Board of Fire Engineers.
156
REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT
The insects doing damage to trees were very numerous again this year. The tent caterpillar was not too bad. The spraying done last year helped a lot. The Gypsy moth was very bad in some parts of the north end of town. The Elm beetle was very bad this year but the roadsides were controlled with but little damage.
Most of the large elms of the town were sprayed twice. Spraying early in the morning before traffic was heavy was tried on the main streets this year. The results were better and time saved. This saving gave us time to do more of the trees twice, for better control.
It was rainy through the spray-season, but not so bad as it was last year.
You might be interested to know that it took 44,800 gallons of spray to do the job this year.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES L. FULLICK, Superintendent of Moth Department.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
The trees throughout the town have been pretty well cleared of dead wood and dangerous hanging limbs, caused by the previous wind storms; also there was some high trimming done. Twenty-five maple trees were planted this year and if labor is available this coming year more trees will be set out, taking the place of some that had to be taken down.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES L. FULLICK,
Tree Warden.
157
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Work performed by the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1946.
Sealed
Not Sealed
Scales
Platform over 10,000 lbs.
1
0
Platform 100-5,000 lbs.
3
2
Counter under 100 lbs.
1
0
Beam 100 lbs. or over
3
0
Spring 100 lbs. or over
1
0
Spring under 100 lbs.
22
0
Computing under 100 lbs.
11
0
Personal slot Weights
1
0
Prescription
1
0
Avoirdupois
7
0
Apothecary
5
0
Metric
13
0
Capacity Measures
Liquid 1 gallon and under
2
0
Liquid 1 gallon and over
1
0
Automobile Measuring Devices
Meters to 1 inch inlet
14
Gasoline pumps
13
0
Oil measuring pumps
12
0
Grease measuring pumps
12
0
Kerosene measuring pumps
4
3
Quantity measuring pumps
2
0
Trial Weighing of Commodities
Total No. Tested
No. Correct
Incorrect
Over
Bread
10
10
0
Potatoes
5
4
1
1
Ice
4
3
1
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD T. DAMON.
158
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspection Department submits the follow- ing report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
The number of permits issued during 1946 are as follows : Building Permits :
45 alterations
11 garages
1 spa
32 new houses
1 feed shed
1 slaughter house
Wiring Permits
29 alterations
17 old houses
22 new houses
10 ranges
37 oil burners
2 gas burners
2 hot water heaters
1 garage
1 dairy
1 printing shop
1 restaurant
1 refrigerating plant
1 spa
1 vegetable stand
1 cow barn
The total estimated cost of new buildings and alterations was $221,075.00 which was $130,000.00 more than the best pre- vious year which was 1941-the year which this department was inaugurated.
On March 26, 1946, the Civilian Production Administra- tion called a halt to all civilians wanting to build new homes. However, where an extreme hardship existed, civilians were granted permission and all the other building in the town was for veterans. Civilians who owned land and had a cellar ex-
159
cavated before March 26 were also given permission to con- tinue the building without priority-assistance. The order against a civilian building program was rescinded during the month of December 1946.
Under the Sections 1 to 3 inclusive of Chapter 139 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth and Sections 6 to 11 in- clusive of Chapter 143 of the General Laws, two dwellings were condemned due to the fact that they were dangerous to life and limb, and a fire menace. One dwelling was ruined by fire and was beyond repair. The other dwelling was torn down and rebuilt on the lot it had occupied, and it now conforms to the Zoning and Building Codes.
With material and labor scarcer perhaps in most cases than during the war years, the citizens of all communities of the town are to be commended for the time and effort spent in building their new homes, or in the alterations for improvement.
Fees collected from both wiring and building permits dur- ing 1946 amounted to $364.00 and have been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The Building Department would like at this time to thank the town officials, and citizens who have helped in the affairs of this office during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, HOMER L. MacDONALD, Building Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
December 31. 1946.
During 1946, I issued 45 permits for Plumbing for which I received $88.00 which I turned over to the Town Treasurer.
I made 105 inspections and found all registered plumbers willing to cooperate in installing plumbing in a sanitary manner.
J. C. MASSIE, Plumbing Inspector.
160
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
Permits Issued
Conducting undertaking establishment 1
Maintaining an establishment for
Slaughtering of Poultry 1
Building new cesspools 16
Installing new septic tank 1
Licenses Issued
Alcohol
10
Record of Diseases Dangerous to the Public Health
Chicken Pox
15
Dog Bites
7
Measles
3
Scarlet Fever
12
Ant. Poliomyelitis
1
German Measles
3
Spinal Meningitis
1
Pul. Tuberculosis
2
Whooping Cough
3
Lobar Pneumonia 1
The Board has investigated many complaints during the year, and all were taken care of.
The children entering school received the Anti-Toxin test for the prevention of diphtheria, recommended by the State Board of Health.
The Board of Selectmen and the Board of Health awarded the contract for the collection of garbage to Mr. Frederick Perry, Pleasant Street, Cochituate.
An interesting event has taken place in the Town which may have substantial health benefits over the years to come, and about which this board is glad to report.
During the year a local committee was formed to further
161
education in matters relating to cancer. This committee will have nothing to do with fund raising, but will endeavor to spread as widely through the Town as possible by all available means, information coming largely from State Headquarters in regard to cancer, which it is hoped will lead to more knowledge on the part of the inhabitants and early reporting of possible cases, and therefore more successful cures.
The Committee is made up as follows :
Rev. David M. Angell
Mrs. Philip Burbank
Mrs. Ronald Campbell
Mrs. Arthur H. Dudley
Rev. John M. Foglesong
Mrs. Paul M. Hamlen
Mrs. Richard A. Howard Mr. Owen B. Kiernan
Mrs. Ewald I. Legee
Rev. William F. Riley
Mrs. William E. Sarsfield
Mrs. J. Sidney Stone
Rev. Francis A. Shields Mrs. Lawrance Ward
The Board feels that there are many cases of diseases dangerous to the public health that are not reported. If you have a case of this nature in your house and you do not have a doctor, it should be reported by the head of the family.
WALDO L. LAWRENCE, Chairman, ERNEST H. DAMON, Clerk, CHESTER H. HOBBS.
162
REPORT OF WAYLAND DISTRICT NURSE For the Year Ending December 31, 1946
To the Citizens of Wayland :
Nursing visits, bedside care, dressings and other treatments
805
Prenatal visits
43
Postnatal visits
36
Advisory visits
51
Friendly visits
32
Pre-school visits
26
Social Service calls
13
Number of patients accompanied to welfare office
1
Number of cases accompanied to hospitals 4
As in former years, several conferences were held with Social Service workers from various organizations and also with nursing consultants from the State Department.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. McNEIL,
District Nurse.
163
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
December 31, 1946.
I herewith submit my report for the year 1946.
There have been twenty-nine licenses issued to dealers to sell milk in Wayland.
Many dairies and other establishments handling milk have been inspected and found complying with the regulations.
CHESTER H. HOBB, Milk Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
I wish to submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year 1946.
24 Beef 3 Veal
4 Sheep
2 Hogs
Respectfully submitted, WARREN F. LAWRENCE, Inspector of Slaughtering.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
I wish to submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the Town of Wayland for the year 1946.
Inspected :
550 cows-native; 219 interstate cows
131 heifers 19 bulls
662 swine 7 steers
62 horses 2 mules 15 goats 1 jack
Quarantined 6 dogs.
Respectfully submitted, WARREN F. LAWRENCE, Inspector of Animals.
164
REPORT OF ROAD COMMISSIONERS
The Road Commissioners have held several meetings dur- ing the year. Two were held with the Finance Committee and one with the Planning Board. Mr. Albert E. Potvin was ap- pointed Superintendent of Highways and. from our observation and comments of the townspeople we believe the appointment has been very well received.
The fall of snow during the winter of 1945-1946 was very heavy which resulted in a great many repairs to trucks and road machinery.
The road construction under Chapter 90, on Connecticut Path is nearly complete. The oiling and resurfacing will be done in the spring.
Real difficulty was experienced in the drainage on Pelham Island Road and quite a bit of money was spent on that project. The road was in terrible condition every spring and we believe the money was well spent.
All the road employees including the Superintendent re- ceived an increase in wages. This seems to be in line with what every other town and municipality is doing.
With the increase in wages, higher cost of material, equip- ment, and repair bills, the efficiency of our appropriation for 1946 was greatly reduced. At the special town meeting October 9, $2500.00 was voted for additional highway use but this vote was later declared invalid by Commissioner Long, and as a result of this declaration many projects had to be abandoned.
JOSEPH DECATUR, WILLIAM SCOTLAND, ALVIN NEALE.
165
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
I wish to submit the following report of the Highway De- partment for the year 1946.
Work done under the General Highway appropriation con- sisted of the necessary gravelling, roadside cleaning, brush cut- ting, guard rail repairs, cleaning of drainage systems and bitu- minous surface treatments, for which 18,000 gallons of Bitu- minous materials were used.
The severity of the past winter caused considerable break- up to road surfaces in the early spring, resulting in a large increase in the cost of repairs. One of the major break-ups was on Pelham Island Road, bringing to a climax a condition which has been growing worse for years. This condition was due to numerous springs, making it necessary, in the past, to block off one ide of the road at this time of year. In attempting to cor- rect this situation, 1800 ft. of side drain, consisting of trap rock and 6 inch concrete pipe, has been constructed. In addition, 2800 ft. of road has been widened, gravelled and surfaced. Due to the wet condition of this area, it may prove necessary, at some time in the future, to construct a similar drain on the other side of the road.
A decrease in the General Highway appropriation, in addi- tion to the unforeseen expense of Pelham Island Road and in- creased costs of labor and materials, limited our resurfacing program. At this time, I would like to recommend a substan- tial increase in the Highway appropriation so that the town roads and sidewalks may be properly maintained and improved. Many of our surfaced roads are in need of treatment and we also have approximately 12 miles of unsurfaced roads, several of which are in poor condition. These unsurfaced roads should be made of uniform width, gravelled and treated with bitumin- ous materials.
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance, two sections of Sudbury Road were gravelled, reshaped and surfaced. On Common- wealth Road, West, 800 ft. of cable guard rail has been erected to replace the old wooden guard rail.
166
Most of the work on section 2 of Old Connecticut Path, under Chapter 90 Construction, has been completed. Due to the late starting date, work under this contract had to be postponed, to be resumed as soon as weather permits.
A new 2-ton Truck has been on order for several months, but due to prevailing conditions, has not as yet been delivered.
I would like to express my appreciation and thanks for the co-operation of the Road Commissioners, and especially for the loyalty of the men of the Highway Department who are willing to give their best at any and all times.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. POTVIN, Highway Surveyor.
REPORT OF THE SERVICEMEN'S COMMITTEE For the Year January 1, 1946 to January 1, 1947
During the past year the Committee has given information and assistance to 143 veterans and their families, (67 from Precinct 1, 76 from Precinct 2) on :
Medical care, Education, Vocational Training,
Housing,
Government insurance,
Death benefits,
Other Government benefits.
EMILY W. BLAIR, Chairman.
167
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Somewhat unexpectedly, this year has continued to be a year with almost as little general relief as was necessary in war time. High employment has continued, and it has been unneces- sary to expend all the funds appropriated.
On the other hand, as expected, old age assistance and aid to dependent children continues to increase substantially in the amount of aid given ; and in the former case it was only just possible to keep the necessary amount expended within the ap- propriation. There is now comparatively little flexibility or little opportunity for the local board to control these cases, since almost all items in these two categories are based upon the State Budget, to which it is necessary to conform to maintain our right to reimbursement from the State. If legislation does not further liberalize the law, the amount per case will not change much, unless the cost of living causes the State to in- crease the budget. It is, however, our belief that the tendency of the load to increase will be more apparent in the near future than it has in the last few years. We believe that we shall be fortunate if we can keep the load in old age assistance much below one hundred cases.
The usual statistics are appended.
CARLISLE D. SCOTLAND, Chr. J. SIDNEY STONE, GUSTAF M. BLOMGREN.
168
Statistics
Old Age Assistance
1945
1946
Cases January 1
80
79
Cases December 31
79
86
Average Monthly Caseload
79.7
85.6
Aver. Gross Expense per case per month $46.39
$50.77
Total Gross Expenditures
$44,366.18
$52,179.20
Medical, Hospital, etc. in above $2,571.53
$4,129.54
Total Net Cost after Reimbursements $2,639.80
$1,717.70
General Relief
Cases January 1
11
11
Cases December 31
12
12
Average Monthly Caseload
11.8
11.1
Aver. Gross Expense per case per month $51.45 Total Gross Expenditures
$7,306.00
$7,257.61
Medical, Hospital, etc. in above $784.94
$405.02
Total Net Cost after Reimbursements $3,680.66
$2,108.55
Aid to Dependent Children
Cases January 1
4
5
Cases December 31
5
6
Average Monthly Caseload
4.5
5.5
Aver. Gross Expense per case per month $87.29
$75.73
Total Gross Expenditures
$4,720.52
$4,998.22
Medical, Hospital, etc. in above
$240.08
$317.87
Total Net Cost after Reimbursements
$1,691.60
$2,246.89
Comparative Statement of Expenditures and Reimbursements
General Relief
1945
1946
Gross Expenditures
$7,306.00
$7,257.61
Reimbursements
3,625.34
5,149.06
Net Cost
$3,680.66
$2,108.55
Old Age Assistance
Gross Expenditures
$44,366.18
$52,179.20
Reimbursements
41,726.38
50,461.50
Net Cost
$2,639.80
$1,717.70
169
$54.56
Aid to Dependent Children Gross Expenditures Reimbursements
1945 $4,720.52
1946 $4,998.22 2,751.33
2,496.29
Net Cost
$2,224.23
$2,246.89
Administrative Expense
$3,658.77
$4,103.27
Gross Expenditures Reimbursements
627.20
758.25
Net Cost
$3,031.57
$3,345.02
Summary
Total Gross Expenditures
$60,051.47
$68,538.30
Total Reimbursements
48,475.21
59,120.14
Net Cost
$11,576.26
$9,418.16
170
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE --- 1946
Food Production was of the utmost importance during 1946 and the main effort of the Extension Service was along this line. Through meetings, radio, farm and home visits, county bulletin, news releases and calls in person and by tele- phone at the office, assistance was given to as many people as possible.
Fruit growers this year were interested especially in know- ing more about frost damage and its prevention and the latest materials to use in spraying to overcome insects and diseases. Because of the wet season, there was a severe infestation of scab and growers required all the assistance possible to produce a good quality crop. Twilight meetings of interest to local growers were held in various parts of the county. Information was sent out to local papers and through town libraries as well as over the radio to help all those interested in home gardens.
Three projects were emphasized to assist those interested in poultry-namly, Better Use of Ranges ; Brooding and Rear- ing ; Disease Control and Sanitation.
Of interest to dairymen, the Selective Breeding Associa- tion and the Herd Improvement Association were developed and expanded during the year.
Because of the many food shortages experienced during the year, homemakers were given assistance to help them in problems in feeding their families the right foods essential to health despite the shortages. Demonstrations and illustrated talks were given on: When Meat Is Scarce; Sugar-Saving Desserts ; Use of Available Foods; Oil-Sparing Salad Dress- ings. Homemakers were interested in clothing renovation and Short Cuts and Speed Tricks in clothing construction. Food preservation was the main project followed during the summer to assist homemakers in the best procedure to insure satisfac- tion in home canning and preparation of foods for freezing.
171
4-H Club work was carried on under the direction of two 4-H Committees, of which Mrs. Albert Sanderson was chair- man in Wayland Center and Elmer Bigwood, chairman in Cochituate. Clothing clubs were led by Mrs. Mary Petronio, Mrs. Charles Buswell and Mrs. Fred Gelinas ; knitting clubs by Mrs. Leonice Beatson and Miss Frances Shufelt; foods and craft clubs by Miss Eleanor Curley ; clothing and canning by Mrs. Leslie Reid ; and agricultural clubs for boys and girls in- terested in gardening, poultry and livestock by Fern Taylor and Mrs. Albert Sanderson. Mary Reid was a blue ribbon winner in the County Dress Revue. Joseph Vacaro was awarded $5. by the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricutlure on his excellent work in poultry.
JOSEPH DECATUR, Director.
172
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
AND THE
.
Superintendent of Schools OF THE
TOWN OF WAYLAND
For the Year Ending December 31, 1946
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION 1946-1947
School Committee
CHARLES F. MOORE, JR., Chairman
CORNELIUS J. MAGUIRE
HARVEY C. NEWTON
Term expires 1947 Term expires 1948 Term expires 1949
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools OWEN B. KIERNAN Office, Center School, Wayland Tel. Wayland 294
School Physician DAVID R. COREY, M.D. Tel. Natick 2725
School Dentist REID A. RAWDING, D.M.D.
Tel. Waltham 2430
School Nurse
MARY E. McNEIL
Tel. Wayland 47
Attendance Officer
MARY E. McNEIL
Tel. Wayland 47
Custodians
GEORGE F. DICKEY ARTHUR L. BITTLE
High School Center School Cochituate School
FRANK J. KANE
174
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Realizing the importance of education in the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, writers of the Constitution included a section making it mandatory for a school committee to annually report on the status of local schools. Chapter 72, Section 4, reads as follows : "The committee shall annually make a detailed report of the condition of the public schools, containing such statements or suggestions relative thereto as it considers neces- sary or proper. It shall cause said report to be printed, for the use of the inhabitants, in octavo, pamphlet form, of the size of the annual reports of the department. The superintendent of schools shall transmit two copies thereof to the commissioner on or before April thirtieth, and shall deposit one copy in the office of the town clerk."
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