USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1948-1950 > Part 9
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6
Leaving the scene
3
Operating after license had been revoked
1
No license
1
Uninsured car
1
Traffic violation
4
Violation laws of the road
2
No registration
2
Assault and battery
4
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
2
Manslaughter
4 10
Disturbing the peace
Non-support
5
Breaking and entering night time
4 4 1
Adultery
8
Assault to Rape
1
Violation of By-Laws
1
Malicious destruction of property
1
Trespass
1
Search Warrant
1
Carrying loaded rifle in car
1
Hunting ducks before sun rise
1
102
This list includes arrests made by the State Police.
The Wayland Police served, during 1948, eighty-nine Summonses, fifteen Subpoenas, three Summonses to Parents, three Summonses to Children and three Summonses to Show Cause.
The police cruiser with its two-way radio has again proven to be a big help to the department.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Chief Thomas P. Evans and members of the Natick Police Department for the fine help and cooperation that they have given me.
ERNEST H. DAMON, Chief of Police.
160
Speeding
Larceny
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
The Fire Engineers organized as follows for 1948:
Theodore H. Harrington, Chief
Ernest H. Damon, Deputy Chief, and Clerk of the Board
Homer L. MacDonald, Electrician
F. Clifton Haynes, District Chief
Frank H. Carter, Clerk of the Wayland Company
Number of alarms answered by
Cochituate
Wayland
Woods
4
4
Grass
12
9
Brush
2
1
Chimney
3
5
Houses
6
2
Dumps
4
8
Rescue
2
0
Auto
4
0
Tractor
0
1
Garage
2
0
Gas Heater
0
1
Drowning
1
1
Shed
1
0
False
1
0
Wetting down cottage
1
0
Searching river for three men
1
1
Inhalator
3
0
Electric Motor
1
0
Electric Range
1
0
Rubbish
1
0
Cement Block Factory
1
1
Camp
1
1
Total
52
35
There was a large reduction in the amount of fires this past year as against previous years. The department answered
161
a total of 87 calls as compared to 149 in 1947 and 157 in 1946. There were 16 house fires from all causes as compared to 23 in 1947 and 32 in 1946.
The citizens are to be commended on their carefulness in handling trash and brush fires around their homes; also for keeping fire hazards down to a minimum. Building and oil inspections are showing good results in eliminating some of the fire hazards. The department did not answer any calls for oil burner fire during the year.
The program for the inspection of oil tanks. drums, etc. was prepared and put into operation in 1948 as demanded by the State Fire Marshall's Office under Chapter 148 of the Gen- eral Laws. There were 556 inspections made during the year which also includes 88 inspections of new oil burner installa- tions. These inspections cover all buildings and premises that have storage of oil. Of the 556 inspections made, 65 intallations were found to be defective and oil storage permits were with- held until the necessary repairs were made by the owners.
Fees collected from oil burner installations during 1948 amounted to $41.50. and have been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
During October, the State asked for the inspection, by local fire departments, of all liquefied petroleum gas (bottled gas) installations. This inspection has been put into effect, and it is being handled in conjunction with the oil storage program.
At the last Town Meeting, it was voted to have a care- taker at the Cochituate dump on Main Street, and after this time, due to the efficient manner in which the dump was main- tained, the department did not have to answer any more calls. A lot of credit is due to those responsible for its cleanliness and for the burning of rubbish in the day time, thus eliminat- ing the heavy mantle of smoke that proved so annoying to the citizens in that community when the dump burned unattended in the evening hours.
A new resuscitator was added to our equipment during 1948. This machine has a three-fold use as compared to the out-moded inhalator that was standard equipment for fire departments. This machine can be used as aspirator, resuscita- tor, or an inhalator. When the machine is used as a resusci- tator, it administers accurate artificial respiration as compared to doubtful artificial respiration performed manually. When
162
the machine is in use on a victim of gas poisoning, electric shock, heart attack, drowning, etc., and the patient shows signs of recovering, the machine can be shifted instantly from resusci- tator position to inhalator. When the machine is on inhalator position, oxygen is administered to the patient in such a manner that under no condition can it prove harmful to the patient. Since this machine was placed in service, we have had several calls from doctors for the use of it; also, the department has made use of it on several calls during the past year.
Due to the fact that Wayland is growing, and that approxi- mately 150 new homes have been built here in the past three years, plus several business establishments with many more to be built, the Board of Fire Engineers feels that at this time they should summarize conditions in the Fire Department, together with a list of recommendations for your consideration. The sum of $4,000 is allocated each year to the department for the protection of over $6,000,000 worth of property. Out of this $4,000 a pay roll of 35 call men has to be met, light, heat, and water bills for two stations, plus the purchases of minor appliances, equipment, clothing, hand lantern batteries, new units for gas masks, etc. The privates of the company receive ten dollars per year, the officers receive twenty dollars per year, while both officers and men receive 83 cents per hour take-home- pay while answering an alarm. Several times in the past, men have ruined a suit of clothes, shoes, or their automobile, or tires, which has wiped out their meager earnings for a year. The men of the department have fought for the past three years for insurance for themselves to be paid for by the Town, and as of this date, they do not have anything but promises. Up until this time, Wayland has been very fortunate in having a group of property owners to comprise the personnel of the two fire companies. These men have been so fire-minded that they have attended local drill nights very consistently and about seventy per cent of the men have attended the State sponsored course which means giving up every Saturday afternoon for three consecutive months. Putting the question to you, Mr. Citizen, as the bread winner of your family, would you do all this for approximately $35.00 a year ?
The Board recommends that the pay of the officers be raised to $125.00 per year, and the privates' pay raised to $100.00 per year, while the hourly rate of pay remains as it is. The Board, also, recommends that every member of the fire
163
department receives in writing, or in the form of a policy, just what will be done for them in case of an accident. Inasmuch as the men have been working for years for wages that were prevalent in 1911, this is the least that can be done for the per- sonnel of the department.
We have repeatedly brought out in our yearly reports that the fire station in Cochituate is not structually sound, and that new quarters are needed. If this building should collapse, bar- ring loss of life, we would lose two fire engines and all our fire alarm equipment ; also, if the two large compressed air tanks in the basement were punctured or crushed, a terrific explosion would occur causing considerable damage in that neighborhood.
The fire trucks that we have in the department consist of the following :
Engine No. 1 LaFrance Cochituate 24 years old
Engine No. 2 Chevrolet Wayland 14 years old
Engine No. 3 Ford
Cochituate 13 years old
Forest Fire Truck-Ford
Wayland 8 years old
The Board recommends that a modern engine be purchased to replace Engine No. 1. Although this truck is still service- able, when parts wear out the time element in getting these parts keeps this piece of equipment out of use for intervals too long for a vehicle in an emergency service.
On May 1, 1949, another problem arises. Chief Harring- ton, after long years of service in the department, is retiring. Up until this time, a citizen who wished to summon the Cochituate fire department could call by telephone to either Chief Harrington's home or Chief of Police Damon's home, and the alarm could be sounded from either home. After May 1st, this service will not be available from Chief Harrington's home which leaves only one place to call, the home of Police Chief Damon. Inasmuch as this is a free service to the citizens, Chief Damon and Mrs. Damon cannot remain home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to render this service. However, when a citizen calls the Cochituate department by telephone, the only sure way to have that call answered is to have a phone installed at the station and the employment of at least 3 permanent fire- men to work in shifts to render 24 hour a day fire alarm service.
In the Cochituate area, there are 20 fire alarm boxes placed in strategic positions around the town. During the war years, it was difficult to get additional boxes, but now they are avail-
164
able and in the past three years, we have had new communities develop and they are without fire alarm boxes. We, also, have had old established communities repeatedly ask for boxes. The Board lists the following new communities that should have fire boxes :
Oak Street at Valley View Road and Timber Lane
Fiske Corner-Corner of School and Main Streets Corner of Fuller and Amey Roads
In the old established communities, the Board recommends the following box locations :
Rice Road Lake Road
Dudley Road Stonebridge Road
In vicinity of Public Bathing Beach-Dudley Pond Old Connecticut Path at Castle and Sycamore Roads
In Wayland, the fire alarm situation is more acute. The only way a citizen can call the fire department is by telephone. This phone call is taken by the operator at the telephone exchange and in turn, the operator presses a manual button which operates an obsolete 5 horse-power siren on top of the Town Hall. The operator who sounds this alarm can only designate the difference between a woods fire and a house fire on this type of an alarm. Firemen coming into the station to fight the fire still have to call the telephone exchange to find out where the fire is. Wayland has been very fortunate to get by with this system for so long, for in a short space of time this system could be done away with, either by someone abusing the free service the Telephone Company is rendering, or in the event dial telephones are installed. In this case, the Board recommends an air whistle to be installed to replace the old siren, for with this type of an alarm system, fire alarm boxes can be added to it; also, it could be tied in electrically with the Cochituate alarm system for mutual aid.
In the Cochituate area, less than a mile from the center of the village, a new community is growing on Fuller and Amey Roads. At present, there is an old 2-inch water pipe serving the homes in that area. However, hydrants cannot be added to a 2-inch pipe line and without hydrants, the department cannot do effective fire fighting work. As the matter stands now, to get water into that area, the contents from two hose trucks
165
would have to be coupled together to reach the scene of the fire. This operation means the needless tieing up of the second piece of fire equipment ; also, water passing through the resistance of a long hose line such as this does not present an effective stream of water at the nozzle end, either in volume or pressure.
Under the new State Law, Chapter 337 of Massachusetts General Laws, effective July 1, 1949, it is mandatory to have as part of the equipment on each piece of motor fire apparatus, two self-contained breathing apparatus. The cost of these air masks, complete with extra cylinders, is $237.00 each. As the department has four pieces of equipment that come under this law, we must purchase eight masks at a total cost of $1,896.00.
Since water main have been installed on Stonebridge Road, Overlook Road and Riverview Avenue, a group of citizens from that area have asked the Board for something in the line of fire fighting equipment. The equipment need not be of an elaborate nature, but merely something to extinguish fires of a minor nature under their own power, and to hold larger fires down to a minimum until help answers either from Cochituate or Way- land. This group of citizens further expressed their willingness to attend drills either in Cochituate or Wayland to learn how to handle this equipment. The Fire Department could provide them with a portable pump-gas driven, an extension ladder and various small appliances and tools from stock at the fire station from war surplus goods. However, in regard to hose, the Board feels that if this request is granted, 500 feet should be the minimum and this would have to come from our appro- priation.
Respectfully submitted, T. H. HARRINGTON, F. CLIFTON HAYNES, H. L. MacDONALD, ERNEST H. DAMON, FRANK H. CARTER, Board of Fire Engineers.
166
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Work performed by the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1948.
Sealed Not Sealed
Scales
Platform, over 10,000 lbs.
1
0
Platform, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
6
1
Counter, under 100 lbs.
4
0
Spring, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
1
0
Spring, under 100 lbs.
21
0
Computing, under 100 lbs.
12
0
Person weigher (slot)
1
0
Beam, under 100 1bs.
1
0
Weights
Avoirdupois
9
0
Apothecary
12
0
Capacity Measures
Liquid measures
19
0
Automobile Measuring Devices
Kerosene Pumps
3
1
Oil Pumps
14
0
Stops on Pumps
12
0
Gasoline Meter Systems
24
0
Vehicle Tank Meter Systems
0
0
Grease-Measuring Devices
11
0
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
1
Trial Weighing of Commodities
Total No. Tested No. Correct Incorrect Over
Bread
6
6
0
Coal (in paper bags)
2
2
0
Coke (in paper bags)
2
2
0
Ice
4
3
1
Potatoes
10
8
2
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD T. DAMON.
167
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
Insect damage to the trees on town property was slight this year. All the streets and public grounds were sprayed once, and the elms were sprayed three times this year. Most of the spraying was done at night, which seems to be more satisfac- tory.
Laboratory studies of samples taken from elm trees sus- pected of Dutch Elm disease in Wayland have been completed, and the results were,-number of elms afflicted with Dutch Elm disease none, number of elms afflicted with other miscellaneous tree troubles were none.
I was very much pleased with this report and glad to hear that we had no Dutch Elm disease as yet.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES L. FULLICK, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
The trees through the town have been well cleared of dead wood, and dangerous hanging limbs.
Also some high trimming and special tree work was done. Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. FULLICK,
Tree Warden.
168
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspection Department submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1948:
The number of permits issued during 1948 are as follows : Building Permits
26 alteration
40 new houses
11 garages
1 filling station
1 supervising building
1 club house
1 horse barn
1 hen house
1 silo
1 corn crib
1 storage shed
1 pumping station
Wiring Permits
27 hot water heaters
51 new houses
15 ranges
51 oil burners
3 old houses
30 alterations
1 hen house
2 refrigerations
1 restaurant
1 filling station
1 pumping station
The total estimated cost of new buildings and alterations in 1948 was $243,200. To show the development of new homes, a list of comparisons are shown back to 1946.
New Houses
Estimated Cost
1946
32
$221,075
1947
64
406,100
1948
40
243,200
New Houses
Cochituate
Wayland
1946
32
15
17
1947
64
38
26
1948
40
23
17
169
Over a period of three years, Wayland has overcome its housing shortage. At the time of the writing of this report, there are ten or more houses for sale, six of which are new ones. However, the building program is still going forward, for with the event of new water main extensions, land that is now woodland is being cut up into house lots, the land is being cleared, cellar holes dug, and with the coming of Spring, a building development can be expected in these areas. The build- ing program in the three established developments in Wayland are also showing steady gains.
There was only one permit issued for business in 1948. This permit was for a filling station on State Road East.
Most of the new house permits issued were for the making of homes for individuals rather than for speculation. It is very gratifying to report that at least sixty percent of these dwellings were made stronger than the requirements of our Building Code. This action was all voluntary, either by the owner or builder.
There were many alterations and repairs on existing houses which all leads to good improvement throughout the commun- ities of the town.
There were 41 cases of zoning variations prepared with field notes, and brought before the Zoning Board of Appeals for decision. The volume of work in this phase of Building Inspection in 1948 equalled all the zoning cases from 1941 through 1947.
There was a slight gain in wiring permits, 183 in 1948 as compared to 178 in 1947. This gain was due to the large amount of major electrical appliances, such as ranges, electric hot water installations, and oil burners that were added in homes.
Fees collected from both wiring and building permits dur- ing 1948 amounted to $873.50, 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,
January 7, 1949.
Building Inspector.
170
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
December 31, 1948.
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1948:
The Board feels that before any permits are issued for new buildings or alterations, that they consider the sewerage disposal as sometimes it is difficult to issue a cesspool permit.
The Town has two cases of Tuberculosis that they have to take care of at a cost of $1,275.50 during 1949.
The Board received a complaint for the keeping of goats and this matter was turned over to the Town Counsel.
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, THOMAS F. LINNEHAN.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
For the year 1948 I issued 80 plumbing permits. The fees collected for plumbing permits amounted to $344.00 which was turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The total estimate cost of plumbing installed in new build- ings was $47,924.00 and in old buildings was $7,335.00.
Respectfully submitted,
J. C. MASSIE.
171
REPORT OF WAYLAND DISTRICT NURSE For the Year Ending December 31, 1948
To the Citizens of Wayland :
Nursing visits, bedside care, dressings and other treatments
798
Prenatal visits
36
Postnatal visits
41
Post-tubercular visits
13
Social Service visits
16
Advisory visits
39
Friendly visits
29
Infant visits
Number of cases accompanied to hospitals
47 4
As heretofore, conferences were held with social service workers and state nursing consultants.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. McNEIL,
District Nurse.
172
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
I wish to submit my report as Animal Inspector for the Town of Wayland for the year 1948.
Inspected : 513 native cows 142 native young stock 41 horses 662 swine 11 goats 24 bulls 366 interstate cattle
Quarantined 20 dogs and 1 cat.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN F. LAWRENCE, Animal Inspector.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
December 31, 1948.
I hereby submit my report for the year 1948.
Nineteen store licenses and nine milk dealer's permits have been issued to sell milk in Wayland from June 1, 1948 to June 1, 1949.
Many establishments have been visited and found operat- ing according to the rules and regulations of the Board of Health and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS F. LINNEHAN, Milk Inspector.
173
REPORT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE FOR THE TOWN OF WAYLAND
The Middlesex County Extension Service is a county organization maintained to serve the various towns of the coun- ty especially in the field of agriculture and home economics.
The agricultural work of the town this year was largely with the dairymen and market gardeners. Several dairymen belong to the Selective Breeding Association as well as the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, both associations organized to assist in production of high quality livestock and improved herd management.
Mainstone Farm was one of the County winners in the New England-wide "Green Pastures" Contest and is taking an active participation in the development of livestock projects of the county as well as the Soil Conservation Service through its Manager Andrew Ketchen.
There were ten boys and girls 4-H clubs under the leader- ship of Mrs. Leslie Reid, Miss Eleanor Curley, Mr. and Mrs. Fern Taylor, Mrs. Yarrish, Mrs. Harvey Newton, Mrs. Evelyn Vlass, Mrs. Harold King, Mrs. Eleanor Scotland, Joseph Vacaro, and Elmer Bigwood. Miss Curley is the Chairman of the 4-H Town Committee in Wayland, while Elmer Bigwood heads a similar committee in Cochituate.
Mary Reid was awarded the County medal in the National Poultry Contest. She was also awarded 150 chicks on her excellent record. Leslie Richards had one of the best gardens in the County and was awarded a Bailey Medal. Joseph Vacaro attended State Camp at the University of Massachusetts. Mildred Sherman was awarded a County Medal in the National Clothing Contest. Mrs. Leslie Reid was co-chairman in charge of the 4-H camp exhibit at the County Fair. This fine exhibit was a reproduction of Camp Middlesex in Ashby.
Wayland women have taken an active interest in Home Demonstration work this year. Mrs. Fred Gelinas and Mrs.
174
Leslie Reid are members of the Middlesex County Women's Advisory Council. Two town committees have been formed. Mrs. George W. Shepard is chairman of northern section (Wayland center area) and has working with her Mrs. Reid, Mrs. John Davis, Mrs. Victor Benson, and Mrs. B. Allen Ben- jamin. Mrs. Harold King is chairman of the Cochituate com- mittee. Other members include Mrs. Gelinas, Mrs. Arthur LaMotte and Mrs. Kenneth Morrell, Jr.
Instruction was given in dressmaking, in making slip- covers, and in reupholstery. A three meeting series of dicus- sions of Food Buying problems was held in the two sections of the town. Talks on "Color and How to Use It," on "Under- standing the Adolescent," "Food Preservation" and "Sugges- tions for Christmas Gifts" show the variety of subjects request- ed from the Home Department. Help was given the committee of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Wayland in remodeling their kitchen for more efficient use. Three visits were made to help women make plans for improving their home kitchens.
JOSEPH H. DECATUR,
Town Director.
175
REPORT OF HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS
The appropriations for the Highway Department for 1949, as recommended by the Commissioners, is the same as 1948 except for Chapter 90 Maintenance and new equipment.
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance last year, the Town appro- priated $1,000.00 and the State and County contributed a like amount, making a total of $3,000.00.
This is a reduction of $1,500.00 over former years, and is a result of the State and County refusing to put up more funds for this work. This seems very illogical to our board as we have more miles of road each year, and the per mile cost of maintenance has increased.
These are good roads and cost a lot for construction, and of course must be kept in good condition. In order to do this, we have had to pay for a lot of these repairs out of the general highway fund.
The other increase comes under New Equipment, and we recommend $7,280.00 for the purchase of a bulldozer and blade. We have many miles of so-called back roads which are in terri- ble condition, and on which many new homes have been built, and these roads will require a lot of bulldozer work. It will be used on Chapter 90 construction and will save hiring a like machine. It will also be used in the case of bad snow storms such as we had last year, and in general, will be a very useful and essential machine.
The board is mindful of the increasing tax rate as we are all taxpayers. We also own automobiles as do most taxpayers, and bad roads can take quite a toll out of your car or truck.
A detailed report of expenses can be found under the Town Accountant's Report.
JOSEPH H. DECATUR, ALVIN B. NEAL, WILLIAM J. SCOTLAND.
176
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
During the past year, two contracts were completed under Chapter 90 Construction. Provisions of the contracts called for a Bituminous Treated Stone base with a 214" Hot Top surface. The 1947 contract, requiring 1700 ft. for completion, and the 1948 contract, providing for 3700 ft., bring Chapter 90 Con- struction up to date.
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