USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1951-1953 > Part 32
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If the people would co-operate with the Highway Department by using the Town Dumps, thereby keeping the roadsides clean, it would be greatly appreciated by everyone.
JOSEPH DECATUR GUSTAF M. BLOMGREN RONALD S. CAMPBELL Town of Wayland Road Commissioners
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
In addition to the general maintenance of Town roads, the Highway appropriation was used as follows: another section of Glezen Lane, West, amounting to approximately 1800 ft., was widened and surfaced, thereby completing the surfacing of this street; 31,000 gallons of asphalt were used for surface treatments on other Town Roads.
Under Chapter 90 Construction, Oak Street has been completed. The appropriation for maintenance of Chapter 90 roads was used to resurface Sudbury Road from the Railroad tracks to the Bridges, and to resurface 2000 ft. of Commonwealth Road. Drainage has been installed between Main Street and Winter Street.
Surfaced sidewalks have been constructed on both sides of Main Street, Cochituate, between Damon Street and Legion Square, and in Way- land Centre, between Cochituate Road and the Post Road.
A Safety Island was built in Mansion Inn Square, helping to relieve a serious traffic hazard.
155
Under Betterment Construction, Edgewood Road, Ridgefield Road, Fairfield Road, Parkridge Road, Westway Road and Blossom Lane were completed except for a small amount of fine grading, thereby adding more than a mile to our surfaced Town Roads.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT E. POTVIN, Highway Surveyor
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR
I wish to submit my report as Animal Inspector for the Town of Wayland for the year 1953.
Inspected 205 Interstate Cattle 522 Native Cows 10 Bulls 190 Young Stock
159 Swine
20 Horses
2 Mules
49 Sheep
5 Goats
Quarantined 12 Dogs
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN F. LAWRENCE Animal Inspector for The Town of Wayland.
156
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
December 31, 1953
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year end- ing December 31, 1953.
There were eleven regular meetings and four special meetings.
The year 1953 again showed tremendous growth of building in Wayland. This necessitates close cooperation between the Board of Health and the Planning Board, as drainage requirements for subdivisions must be approved as well as sewer disposal permits issued by the Board of Health before approval can be had from the Planning Board.
The Board of Health published its minimum standards in the Town Crier, to acquaint the town with these facts.
Two cases of Para-Typhoid B broke out in the Spring. The splendid cooperation of the Red Cross and Dr. Corey of this town, aided materially in effective countermeasures which were taken immediately with State recommendation. The Board of Health wishes to thank the Red Cross and Dr. Corey for this service.
At present, more time is spent than is reasonable in the investigation, condemnation and follow-up of dwellings unfit for human habitation for health reasons. The Town Counsel is thanked for his tireless cooperation and devotion to town affairs and in particular to the Board of Health. Necessary aid that we are now seeking for the Board of Health, will increase the efficiency of the Board of Health, in the performance of this duty, so important to the well-being of Wayland.
The Board of Health expresses regret that other duties forced the resignation of Dr. Katherine Andrews on September 1st. She gave un- sparingly of her knowledge, ability and judgment as Chairman to the Board of Health.
Mr. John C. Quinn was appointed to fill the vacancy and is a valued member. We thank the Planning Board for its cooperation and list below Board of Health statistics:
The Board issued the following permits:
To construct Cesspool 201
To maintain undertaker establishment 1
To manufacture ice cream 1
157
To sell Methyl Alcohol 14 To sell Milk 33 To sell Oleomargarine 13
To transport and dispose of Garbage, Offal 3
There were one hundred forty-five cases of communicable diseases reported :
Chicken Pox 57
Dog Bites 21
Measles 46
Scarlet Fever
7
Polio
4
Whooping Cough
8
Para-Typhoid B
2
Dog Clinics
A total of 87 dogs were inoculated and protected against rabies at the 2nd annual clinics conducted under the direction of Dr. Paul R. Granholm, Boston Post Rd., Weston, and Leila Sears. Protection against rabies must and should be given freely, as a sudden outbreak of dog bites can be injurious to the welfare of the community.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. QUINN, Chairman NORMAN G. FAIR, Clerk JOYCE BERTELSEN
Board of Health
158
REPORT OF THE DISTRICT NURSE
I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending December 1953:
Nursing visits, bedside and other care
1061
Prenatal visits
42
Postnatal visits 38
Infant visits 46
Pre-school
10
Tuberculosis (Follow-up)
25
Advisory visits 39
Friendly visits 19
Patients referred to hospital
2
Patients accompanied to hospital
2
During the course of the year, I have had several conferences with the State Consultant for this district, which proved to be very helpful.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY McNEIL, District Nurse.
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
The Gypsy Moth Program has been successfully carried out through- out the Town. The trees on all existing streets and roadways, including new developments, have been sprayed and examined.
During the past year, twenty-four elm trees have been removed and destroyed due to the Dutch Elm Disease. These trees were all roadway trees and were a threat to wires and traffic. Dutch Elm Disease still con- tinues to plague our elms.
Samples of the remaining suspects have been sent to Amherst for culture. All of these samples came back positive Dutch Elm Disease. The trees from which these samples were taken have been properly tagged as requested by the State.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. NELSON, Moth Superintendent
159
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
New services in 1953 dropped off somewhat with a total of 90 completed and three on hand on December 1. However, the rebuilding of Edgewood, Fairfield, Ridgefield, and Parkridge Roads, and the relocat- ing of the 2" main on Bent Avenue, required the relocating of 53 old services.
The 12" pumping main connecting Old Connecticut Path and Cochituate Road was put into service, and the mains on Glezen Lane were connected giving us two feeder mains to North Wayland.
Two new hydrants were installed, one on Hazelbrook Lane and the other on Lincoln Road.
The appearance of the entrance to the Baldwin Pond pumping station was greatly improved by rebuilding the walls and grading around the driveway.
The new pumping station is nearing completion and will be put into service in 1954.
1.8 miles of main were added to the system in 1953. New hydrants on roads already approved by the Planning Board, but not yet built, will add at least 25 to the total hydrants as given below.
Statistics 1953 (December 1)
Renewals
10
Relocations
53
Leaks
9
New services Dec. 1
90 3 on hand
Hydrants in use
280
Gallons water pumped
238 million gallons
FERN A. TAYLOR ALFRED C. DAMON
ROBERT W. HANLON
160
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The duties and responsibilities of this Board continue from year to year without much change in the general problems, but with ever varying and frequently challenging special cases. The mandatory requirements of the statutes and the regulatory restrictions of both State and Federal government make it impossible for the Board to deal with many cases in the manner in which it would act if it had unfettered authority.
It is apparent that growth of population will increase the burdens in cases in which elderly relatives move into town with new home owners, as well as in cases in which low cost older properties prove available to those seeking low costs. The efforts of the Board of Health to restrict and reduce substandard buildings are noted with approval and commenda- tion.
Expense for medication, doctors' services and hospital or rest home care, continues to be great, and no means have been devised by which the Board can satisfactorily check for abuse of the privileges afforded, and can in any realistic manner exert restrictions so that all real needs are supplied, and the tendency of liberality of expense when some one else is making the payment not exercised to the detriment of the taxpayer without much, if any, benefit to the recipient.
We have had one sale of real estate and a few recoveries, showing the favorable results of the lien law. The Board is making an earnest effort to protect the taxpayer from exploitation, and at the same time to relieve all legitimate distress of the worthy cases in all categories.
The attached welfare statistics show what has been expended this year and in recent years. The Accountant's figures will show to what extent the burden fell on the Town
161
162
Welfare Statistics
1951
1952
1953
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Case Load, January 1
98
86
87
Case Load, December 31 87
86
85
Average Monthly Case Load
93.9
83.3
84.9
Total Gross Expenditures $88,663.13
$87,481.12
$90,854.60
Average Monthly Cost Per Case
$78.69
$87.52
$89.17
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Case Load January 1
16
cases 58 persons
15
cases 55
persons
17
cases 56
persons
Case Load December 31 15
55
=
17
58
16
52
Average Monthly Case Load 15.0
53.6
16.5 "
58.8
17.0
55.5
Total Gross Expenditures
$22,624.16
$28,543.06
$27,457.77
Average Monthly Cost per Case
$125.69
$144.16
$134.60
"
"
163
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Case Load January 1
2
8
Case Load December 31
7
7
Average Monthly Case Load
4.4
6.7
Total Gross Expenditures Average Monthly Cost per Case
$5,420.93
$9,181.04
$102.67
$114.70
GENERAL RELIEF
Case Load January 1
20 cases 20
persons
21
cases 27
persons
13
cases 14
persons
Case Load December 31
20
26
13
19
16
22
Average Monthly Case Load 21.0
31.0
19.6 "
28.7
,,
14.8
17.3
Total Gross Expenditures
$14,607.13
$14,558.48
$9,777.96
Average Monthly Cost per Case
$57.96
$61.90
$55.06
"
=
CARLISLE D. SCOTLAND RONALD H. WOOD J. SIDNEY STONE Board of Public Welfare.
CIVIL DEFENSE ANNUAL REPORT
The year 1953 saw the completion of the organization of one of the most important arms of the Town's Civil Defense organization, the Auxiliary Police. More than sixty Auxiliary Police officers have been ap- pointed by the Selectmen and many of them have been engaging in regular monthly training. Weekly training sessions on the pistol range have been inaugurated under the direction of an expert instructor and the various Auxiliary Police squads are undertaking pistol training on a rotation basis.
During the past year the Chief of Police called members of the Auxiliary Police to active police duty on two occasions. The first of these was during the summer to combat a wave of false alarms in Precinct 1. It is significant that this wave suddenly ended when the Auxiliary Police went on duty. The second occasion involved Auxiliaries in both pre- cincts who were on active duty during two evenings over the Hallowe'en week-end who succeded in preventing the turning in of a number of false alarms and other malicious acts. The Auxiliary Police have been equipped with badges, whistles and billy clubs. A supply of white plastic helmet liners have been purchased for use on disaster duty and Civil De- fense provided the police with two .22 caliber revolvers for use by all members of the Department in pistol practice.
The Communications section has been augmented by an assistant. The two fixed radio stations are complete and in operation on the 10- meter band for emergency communications and may be operated using emergency generators. Mobile equipment is available for mounting in any convenient vehicle should the need arise.
An excellent start has been made during the year 1953 in organizing the Warden Division with almost 100 women in Precinct 1 having agreed to serve as wardens. The organization in Precinct 2 has lagged, but it is hoped that during the first part of 1954 Precinct 2 will catch up in this division.
Emergency feeding in time of disaster, natural or military, will be handled directly by Red Cross personnel who are equipped and trained for this purpose and no attempt is being made to set up a separate organization.
The Town has not been allocated any first-aid equipment by the State, but it is hoped with the completion of the Parmenter building that
16-4
arrangements can be made for the setting up of emergency first-aid facili- ties under the control of the personnel of the Parmenter project.
Now that the Fire Department has completed its efforts in connec- tion with building the Cochituate Fire Station and acquiring two new fire trucks, we have turned our attention to recruiting and training two companies of Auxiliary Firemen under Captain Francis J. Hartin, Auxiliary Chief.
At the end of the year we lost our Assistant Director, Benjamin Beale, and the vacancy created is expected to be filled in the near future by the Selectmen.
The main report center in the basement of the Public Library has been virtually completed with its radio station and communications desk. In both the main report center and the secondary report center in Precinct 2, three extra telephones have been installed making a total of four lines at each command post at no cost to the Town except for installation service. The extra lines may be connected on a few minutes notice directly at the telephone company switchboard, thus giving the necessary extra communications channels if they should be needed.
A new director of the Civilian War Aid Division, whose responsi- bilities are primarily of a welfare nature, has been appointed and with the aid of the Red Cross Canteen and the Warden Section (who will conduct the housing survey) it is hoped that this division will compelte its initial work before the end of 1954.
The Worcester tornado disaster occasioned an alerting of Wayland Civil Defense prsonnel, but it was not necessary to furnish any aid to the stricken area other than to dispatch the Fire Department emergency light- ing unit with two men for several nights following the storm. Your Director attended a meeting in Worcester at which the operations of the Worcester and State Civil Defense agencies were reviewed. It can be said that at the present time the Town of Wayland is probably better prepared to cope with a disaster of this type than was the city of Worcester when the twister hit.
During 1953 the Town spent approximately $2,500 for Civil Defense, this being the sum allocated from the Reserve Fund for this purpose. Of the $2,500, however, some $500 went to pay for equipment purchased in 1952. The Town expects to be reimbursed by the Federal Government under the Matching Funds program of the Federal Civil Defense Admini- stration for certain of the communications equipment purchased during
165
1952 and 1953, thus reducing by several hundred dollars the total cost to the Town of the Civil Defense program.
The accomplishments of the past year would not have been possible without the untiring efforts of our overworked volunteers who are all busy people and who have nevertheless taken valuable time to perform what to many appear to be thankless tasks. To them I extend a vote of thanks both in behalf of myself and the Town.
Respectfully submitted, W. R. HULBERT, Director.
PARK DEPARTMENT
The Board of Park Commissioners sets forth below its report for the y car 1953.
Insofar as the various Park Department properties are concerned, the Board wishes to report that there have been no substantial changes in the properties or the policy of maintaining them. It has been the effort of the Commissioners to keep the Park Areas and Heater Pieces in good condition; they have been rewarded by the number of citizens who have made note of the improvement over other years, and who have so advised the Board.
With the support and cooperation of the residents of the town, the 1953 season continued the trend of recent years at the Lake Cochituate Beach. The attendance for the past summer was 34,785 residents for the season and 1064 guests, as compared to 28,393 residents and 574 guests in the year 1952. Accidents were negligible and infraction of the rules few. The Park Department has attempted to improve constantly the Beach Arca for the benefit of the residents and hopes that additional progress can be made in 1954.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank the Officials and the People of the Town who aided them in 1953 in the discharge of their duties.
FRANK S. TARR, Chairman NATHANIEL HAMLEN THOMAS J. MURRAY Wayland Park Commissioners.
166
1953 REPORT OF THE WORK OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE IN WAYLAND
The Middlesex County Extension Service is a publicly supported, educational institution to serve all the towns of the county in agriculture and home economics. In agriculture the work is developed county-wide under the direction of county councils made up of leading farmers in each of the main commodities as vegetables, fruit, poultry, dairying, livestock, and commercial flowers. A County Bulletin is mailed monthly to all co- operating farmers and timely information sent to anyone on request.
4-H Club Work is developed under a town committee and leaders, and the home economics work is available through a town director, or- ganized groups, or direct requests. Your town director furnishes counsel to the Extension Office on the needs of the towns, services desired, or leadership needed.
Information and assistance were made available on the planning and operation of a poultry farm or enterprise covering the subjects of poultry housing and equipment, ventilation and litter management, brooding and rearing, marketing, and management for egg production.
Specialized information on turkey and poultry health was made available through the 1953 Middlesex Flock Health Program.
The Middlesex County Extension Service renders many services to the dairymen in this area. There are in the county herd testing facilities which include complete herd records, pasture, hay and silage production programs which aim at producing more and better roughage at a lower cost, and a soil testing laboratory where a complete analysis can be run to determine needed soil nutrients. Also, on application for membership, any dairyman has access to one of the best bull studs in the northeast for use in his own herd through the artificial breeding program.
Samuel Cutler is a real leader in the county's dairy industry. Other active participants are Arthur Schofield, DeWitt Mitchell, and Walter Harrington. Dairy twilight meetings were held at Mainstone Farm and Knottarock Farm with about 40 people at each meeting.
Of interest to the commercial vegetable growers was the timely infor- mation sent out on pest control similar to the service that has been ren- dered the fruit growers of the county. Marketing has also been a vital part of the program, and efforts have been concentrated on the Boston
167
Market and on proper packaging and grading. Consumer packaging has received a great deal of attention.
The homemakers of Wayland have been very much interested in the various programs offered by the Extension Service, taking part in the meetings on Making Slip Covers, Clothing, and "Your School-Age Child." Mrs. Leslie Reid and Mrs. Fred Gelinas are members of the Executive Board of the Women's Advisory Council.
4-H Club members in Wayland Center in 1953 were enrolled in gardening, horse, clothing, and boys' craft. Mr. Aiden Gierasch was leader of the Garden Club; Mrs. Archibald Cox, leader of the Horse Club; Miss Mary Reid, leader of the Clothing Club; and Mr. John Cain, leader of the Boys' Craft Club. Mrs. B. Allen Benjamin served as 4-H Town Chairman in Wayland Center. Assisting on the Town Committee were Mrs. Leslie Reid, Mrs. Mabel Draper, Mrs. Richard Best, Mrs. John Tanger, Mrs. Kenneth Larkin, Mrs. Donald Tarbell, and Mr. George Small.
Mr. Elmer Bigwood was 4-H Town Chairman for Cochituate. Mr. Bigwood also led a 4-H Agricultural Club. Mrs. John Arnold led a Girls' Craft Club, and Mrs. William Erwin led a Foods Club. Mr. John Arnold led a Boys' Craft Club and a Conservation Club. Miss Louise Taylor led a Clothing Club. Mr. and Mrs. Fern Taylor served on the 4-H Town Committee and Mr. Taylor has contributed greatly to the success of Camp Middlesex. Many 4-H boys and girls attended Camp Middlesex in Ashby and exhibited at the Middlesex County 4-H Fair.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH DECATUR, Town Director.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
General cleaning and trimming of dead wood on all trees throughout the Town was done this year. There were twelve dangerous trees taken down, and twenty-three Maple Trees were set out.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. FULLICK,
Tree Warden
168
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE For the year ending December 31, 1953
December 31, 1953
Drunkenness
26
Driving under the influence
4
Driving so as to endanger
7
Speeding
16
Operating without a license
3
Operating without a registration
1
Operating recklessly
1
Operating after suspension
1
Operating without a sticker
7 7
Non-Support
Larceny
4
Larceny by check
1
Vagrancy
1
Assault and Battery
3
Threat
1
Desertion
1
Destruction in Cemetery
4
Transporting Intoxicating Liquor
3
Illegitimacy
1
Ringing False Alarm
4 1
Search Warrant
2
Present at Gaming
7
Breaking and Entering in Nighttime
2
Malicious Destruction of Town Property
2
Opening Fire Hydrants 4
Administering Liquor to a Minor
1
115
This list includes arrests made by the State Police.
This list does not include juvenile arrests.
The Wayland Police served during 1953, One Hundred and Thirty Seven summonses, Twenty Two Subpoenas, Seventeen Summonses to show cause, Four summonses to children and Sixteen warrants.
169
Setting up and Promoting
The total number of automobile accidents has again increased over the past year. We have again posted more safety signs along the high- ways to help keep our accident rate down. We had one fatal this year. We received a citation from the Seventh Governor's Highway Safety Conference presented to The Town of Wayland in recognition of out- standing highway safety achievements in completing the year 1952 with- out a fatal motor vehicle traffic accident.
I wish to thank the Wayland Lumber Co. for their safety calendars that they purchased and donated to the police department to distribute in the town.
I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for giving me another full time patrolman.
I wish to thank the Auxiliary Police for the fine cooperation that they have given me when I have asked for their assistance.
I wish to thank Chief Shea and the Natick Police Department, my fellow officers, the various department heads and the loyal citizens of Wayland for their tolerance and continued cooperation. It is this type of stimulated cooperation combined with an integration of efforts that makes it possible for me to say to all - "a job well done." Again accept my sincere thanks and my pledge that ever continuing advances will be made by the department which I so proudly head.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST H. DAMON, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
During 1953, there were one hundred thirty-seven (137) Plumbing Permits issued for which Six Hundred Six dollars ($606.00) was col- lected and turned over to the Town Treasurer. All jobs were inspected and passed.
I recommend that the Town of Wayland adopt the State Board of Examiners of Plumbers Code in 1954, so that future installations would comply with all safety requirements and avoid any tragedies such as the explosion in Cochituate this year.
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY J. DALY
170
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Number of Alarms answered by
Cochituate Wayland
Chimney
1
2
House
3
4
Grass
29
16
Call to Cochituate
6
Incinerator
2
Woods
27
9
Car
6
4
False
17
9
Drowning
1
1
Call to Sudbury
1
Brush
11
7
Cow Barn
1
Electric Motor
2
Hen House
1
Power Lawn Mower
1
Dump
2
2
Rubbish
5
1
Cat in Tree
2
Leaking Refrigerator
1
Washing Machine
1
1
Air Conditioner
1
Truck
1
Sprinkler Alarm
1
Horse Stuck in Mud
1
Calf Stuck in Mud
1
Leaves
1
Call to Framingham
1
1
Lost Child
1
1
Call to Wayland
22
Cabin
1
Television Set
1
Call to Natick
1
Oil Burner
7
Barn
1
Rescue
1
171
Woman Locked out of House Gas Explosion
2
1
142
81
The Fire Department has answered more fire alarms this year than in any previous year. Each year, as the town grows in population, the number of fires and other emergency calls increases in proportion. For comparison we list the number of fire-calls for each of the past four years:
1950-107 1951-145 1952-171 1953-223
Inasmuch as the Fire Department still is operating on a call man basis without any full-time firemen, either officers or men, the question arises: How much longer can this call Fire Department serve effectively with our ever increasing number of calls each year?
During the month of March the two new Mack fire engines ar- rived. Shortly thereafter a series of tests were conducted at the Gate House on Lake Cochituate. These impartial and gruelling tests, run by an official of the Board of Underwriters, proved not only that the trucks could pass the Class A requirements for 750 gallon pumpers, but even that they went above and beyond the claim of the manufacturer. After the contracts were signed, (acceptance by the Town having been based upon this report of the Underwriters), the Mack Motor Truck Co. sent us a very competent instructor, who spent many hours with the personnel of the Department, teaching them the various phases of pump operation and how to drive the vehicles properly
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