Official reports of the town of Wayland 1954-1956, Part 25

Author: Wayland (Mass.)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher: Printed at the Middlesex Freeman Office
Number of Pages: 702


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1954-1956 > Part 25


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In 1955 the expenditures and the number of veterans assisted was above the average of previous years. In my opinion any serious decline in employment will necessitate a larger budget and the establishment of an office dealing with Veterans' Services to be located at the Town Hall.


JOHN W. LEAVITT, Veterans' Agent.


163


REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS


The Cemetery Commission offers the following report for 1955.


The roadways in the sections under construction at North and Lakeview Cemeteries are practically finished, needing only the final smoothing and rolling. The first section of the new addition at the North will be divided into lots and opened for sale this year; and additional areas will be made ready at Lakeview.


The gateway at the entrance was widened by moving over the western gatepost nearly three feet. This proved to be a major under- taking, as the post, about 14 inches square and five feet high, was set into the ground six feet deep and had an enlarged lower end.


As was voted last spring, Lakeview Ave. and East Ave. were paved with asphalt to the top of the hill, as the first step in a three-year plan to pave the three key roads in the area. This year the entrance road will be rebuilt and similarly "hot-topped;" and next year it is planned to treat Curve Ave. and Ridge Ave., leading from the tomb up over the hill to the rear of the cemetery.


Nine "Perpetual Care" gifts were made this year, the funds total- ing $1,300.00, as follows :-


January 18, the "Frank Pettigrew Fund," given by Bernice Pettigrew for the perpetual care of Lots 58 and 59, Lakeview $100.00


March 1, the "Daniel J. Lucey Fund," given by Mar- guerite R. Lucey, for the perpetual care of Lot 93, Sec. C, Lakeview 150.00


May 24, the "Powning Fund," given by Kimball C. Pow- ning, for the perpetual care of Lot 167, Extension, North Cemetery 150.00


May 31, the "Lovell Fund," given by Sarah Emily Lovell, for the perpetual care of Lot 13, Extension, North Cemetery 150.00


July 5, the "Morgan Fund," given by Helen C. Morgan, for the perpetual care of Lot 166, Extension, North Cemetery 150.00


July 19, the "Chas. Frazer Fund," given by Mrs. Charles Frazer, for the perpetual care of Lot 30, Sec. C, Lakeview .... 150.00


August 9, the "Ewing Fund," given by Harry Ewing for the perpetual care of Lot 7, Sec. G, Lakeview Cemetery ....


1.50.00


November 10, the "George W. Phylis Fund," given by Mrs. Geo. W. Phylis, for the perpetual care of Lot 54, Sec. F, Lakeview 150.00


November 15, the "James Morton Fund, given by Waldo Hammond for the perpetual care of Lot 44, Sec. F, Lakeview 150.00


Fifty-six burials have been made this year; forty-three in Lakeview, eight at the North, and five at the South Ceme- teries. For this service we received 2,147.00


Eighteen lots and two single graves were sold at Lakeview Cemetery, bringing in $1,052.50


164


Eight lots and two singles at the North and two lots at the South Cemeteries; the receipts being respectively


430.00


and


100.00


This makes a total of 1,582.50


for lots sold.


Three foundations were made for monuments for which we were paid 49.00


For yearly care of lots, 125 owners paid 572.00


This charge has been made only since 1950. Before that, com- paratively few had been concerned about the care of their burial places, leaving it all to the town. Now all have this obligation to provide for the care of their lots, either by paying the small yearly fee, or making a larger payment for perpetual care; this obligation existing whether they purchased their lot or inherited it from their ancestors.


Respectfully submitted,


ERNEST W. SCHLEICHER, RALPH H. YETTON, WARREN D. VALENTINE, Cemetery Commissioners.


REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS


During the year 1955 we again suffered a loss because of a member of the Board leaving town and therefore being ineligible. Our former Chairman, J. Reed Morss, whose intimate knowledge of bonds eligible for savings banks and therefore eligible for the Town, moved to Chestnut Hill. The vacancy thus caused was filled in the regular manner for filling vacancies by the appointment of Allen R. Finlay.


Available small funds continued to be deposited in the savings banks, as heretofore. Maturing securities and bonds which were found to have been called have been reinvested. Owing to the continuing small difference betwen the yield from savings banks and from bonds of the type which we are permitted to purchase, a substantial part of our funds continues to be invested in savings banks.


As the investments of the funds are reported by the Town Treasurer, those who are interested in the investments and in any changes that have occurred are referred to the Treasurer's Report. The Treasurer is working with the Commissioners in a most helpful manner and has furnished us with information as to maturing obligations in detail, and


165


the new members are showing so much interest in their obligations and duties, it is believed that the interests of the Town will be well taken care of, in spite of the changes in membership which have occurred. We shall make every effort to keep abreast of the market for the types of securities which we can purchase and to make any changes in investment which appear to us to be advantageous for the various funds, in view of the present and prospective future money market.


ALLAN R. FINLAY THOMAS B. GANNETT, Chairman J. SIDNEY STONE, Secretary


REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT


This year the trees of the Town were sprayed for Gypsy Moth, in conjunction with hydraulic spraying by aerial spray. This made a more thorough coverage and was very successful in combating the spread of the Gypsy Moth. Helicopters and a large plane were used for this purpose.


Early in January the remaining condemned 1954 elm trees were removed and destroyed. New samples were taken in June and July of 1955. One hundred and five trees were sampled and sent to the laboratory for testing. Ninety samples were labeled with positive Dutch Elm disease. In September of 1955 forty more samples were taken and sent in. Of these thirty-six came back as positive Dutch Elm Disease. This made a total of one hundred and twenty-six elms having the disease.


During the year 1955 seventy-one elm trees were taken down and destroyed.


The increase and spread of the Dutch Elm Disease is greatly due to the hurricanes during the past two years. High winds and floods spread the disease from one area to another, thus making it more difficult to combat.


In 1955 the Town adopted a program for spraying poison ivy along the Public Roadsides. As this is a new program the Town has not been completely covered, but will be completed in the near future.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN E. NELSON, Moth Superintendent.


166


REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR


The Building Inspection Department submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1955:


Building Permits


62 Alterations


138 New Houses


1 Manufacturing Plant


23 Garages


4 Car Ports


1 Filling Station


1 Research Laboratory


1 Guest House


1 Public Garage


1 Stable


1 Pumping Station


Wiring Permits


57 Alterations


127 New Houses


17 Oil Burners


7 Dryers


1 Garage


1 Old House


12 Hot Water Heaters


1 Machine Shop


2 Electric Controls on Gas Burners


1 Public Garage


1 Shed


2 Manufacturing Plants


1 Electric Sign


The total estimated cost of all building permits issued, which in- cludes commercial buildings, new houses, accessory buildings, garages, etc., amounted to $2,787,900.00. There were 138 homes built this year which is one more than last year's amount.


For the purpose of comparison, a list of figures for the past few years is shown below :


Year


New Houses


Estimated Cost


1950


141


$754,500.00


1951


155


875,000.00


1952


140


1,203,150.00


1953


181


2,128,500.00


1954


137


2,721,250.00


1955


138


2,787,900.00


NEW HOUSE DEVELOPMENT BY PRECINCT


Year


Cochituate


Wayland


1950


30


111


1951


62


93


1952


40


101


1953


97


84


1954


43


94


1955


41


97


167


The trend of new house construction in Wayland continued in the same pattern of the past few years which favored individual construc- tion more than building for speculation. Once again a larger percentage of the houses that were built ran to costlier construction.


As this report is being prepared in December, one non-residential building is nearing completion on State Road West: a machine shop for the Philbob Real Estate Trust which will be the second of its type in that area. The Raytheon Research Laboratory was completed about the first of November at which time it was staffed and opened for operation.


During the past year the large display building for automobiles was completed for Cochituate Motors at the corner of East Common- wealth Road and Main Street and is opened for business.


Alteration permits for existing houses and places of business showed a gain of 23 over the previous year.


Seventy-five cases of zoning variations were prepared and brought to the Zoning Board of Appeals for decision. There were eighteen more cases than in the previous year.


Fees collected from both wiring and building permits during 1955 have amounted to $3,836.00 and have been turned over to the Town Treasurer.


The Building Department would like 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 THE TREE WARDEN


Due to the past hurricanes, which left the Town trees in a hazardous condition, the main highways have been pretty well cleaned of stubs and broken branches. There was painting and repair work done on some. There were some that were beyond repair that were taken down.


There is a lot more work to be done. There were eighten Norway Maples set out in October.


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES L. FULLICK, Tree Warden.


168


LOCATION OF FIRE ALARM BOXES Wayland and Cochituate July 1, 1955


12 Pemberton Hoad near Harrison Street


13 Pemberton Road and Shawmut Avenue


132 Public Bathing Beach, Lake Cochituate


14 Harrison Street


15 Cochituate Grammar School, Main Street Engine House, Cochituate


17


19 Willard Street at Winter Street


23 Commonwealth Road Wost at Pemberton Road


24 Commonwealth Road at Main Street


242 Commonwealth Road East near French Avenue


245 Commonwealth Road East and East Plain Street


25 Commonwealth Roud East at Old Tavern Road


251 Old Tavern Road at Dean Road


2511 Dean Road


2512 Old Tavern Road at Bald Rock Road


2513 Snake Brook Road


2514 Bald Rock Road


253 Lokør Street at Thompson Street


27 Commonwealth Road East at Oak Street


271 Oak Street at Timber Lane


272 Timber Lane at Eden Road


31 East Plain Street at Pollock Road


321


Main Street at East Plain Street


Mitchell Street at West Plain Street


Maguire Road at Pleasant Street


322. 3221 32.25 3255


Wast Plain at Castle Gate South Edgewood Road


Simpson Road at Emerson Road Richard Road


3271 3272 3273 Russell Road 3274 Emerson Road at Hawthorne Road


3313 Lake Shore Drive at Beech Street


Sycamore Road at Hemlock Road


Old Connecticut Path at Pine Ridge Road Pine Ridge Road


3314 34 341 343 Lake Shore Drive


4161 Peck Avenue at School Street


326 Old Connecticut Path at West Plain Street


381 Park Lane off Maiden Lane


414 Main Street at Pond Drive


4142 Lakeview Road


421 Pequot Road at Happy Hollow Road


422 Pequot Road near Juniper Lane


423 Pequot Road - Elementary School


43 Cochituate Road at Happy Hollow Road


431 Rice Spring Lane at Goodman Lane


3


3


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


D


1


1


1


a


LOCATION OF FIRE ALARM BOXES Wayland and Cochituate July 1, 1955


45 Main Street at Dudley Road


451 Dudley Roud at Crest Road


453 Dudley Road


471 Cochiluate Road near Fiske Corner 52 State Road at Cochituale Road


Wayland High School oll Cochituate Road


521 53 Wayland Grammar School, Cochituate Road


541 Cochituate Road at Woodridge


61 Engine House, Wayland


612 Millbrook Road at Nob Hill Road


613 Corner Glen Street and Plain Road


62] Corner Clay Pit Hill Road and Plain Road


63 Corner Draper Road and Plain Road


54 Comer Bennett Road and State Road East


6.42 Commer Spring Hill Road and State Road East


5512 Pelham bland Road &l Culler's Farm - No, 152


652 Pelham Lland Road at Verrill's Residence ---- No. 174


853 Pelham Island Road at Erwin Road


66 Cormor Rich Valley Road and State Road East


Junction of Old Connecticut Path and State Road East


B64 87 State Road of St. Ann's Church


671 Slate Road Weet near Railroad Crossing


71 Concord Road at Bow Road


712 Concord Road af Plain Road


82 Concord Road af Trainingfield Road


831 Concord Baad at Glezen Lane


84 Concord Baad at Moore Road


841 Concord Road at Lincoln Road


851 Concord Road at Sherman Bridge Road


Concord Road at fled Barn Road


922 Marshall Terrace


93 Rad Barn Boad


SPECIAL SIGNALS


1 2 All Out


Dally Teat at 5:45 P. M.


3-3-3 Military Call


4-4-4 Boy Scouts


5-5 No School Signal at 7 A. M.


7-7 All Call-Firemen to Report to Their Stations


OUT OF TOWN SIGNALS


512 Framingham 513 Lincoln


514


Natick


515 Sudbury


516 Weston


D


1


1


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS


Number of Alarms answered


Washing Machine Motor


3


Trouble on Alarm System


19


Grass Fires


44


Barn Fires


2


Oil Burner


10


Hay


1


Chimney


10


Gas Incinerator


1


Rubbish


3


House


10


Brush


25


Fire Place


1


False Alarms


18


Woods


6


Car Fires


6


Dogs in Pond


2


Dump Fires (Including WaterTown Dairy


12


T. V. Sets


2


Calls for Resuscitator


2


Wrong Location (Natick)


2


Call to Natick (Mutual Aid)


1


Garage


1


Wood Pile


1


Truck


3


Shed


1


Refrigerator Motor


1


Call to Sudbury (Mutual Aid Wayside Inn)


1


Lost Child


1


Edison Wires


2


Town Roller


1


Man in Pond


1


Incinerator


1


Calls from Police Dept.


2


Radio


1


Cat in Tree


1


Broken Water Pipe in Cellar


1


Hen House


1


Boiler Room


1


Over heated coal furnace


1


202


The Fire Department had fewer alarms to answer this past year than in the previous year. Our citizens have earned much merit for their caution in eliminating fire risks around the home. For comparison we list the number of fire calls for each of the past six years.


1950-107


1951 -145 1952-171


1953-223


1954-232


1955-202


169


The year 1955 had the usual routine calls and administration, except for the August storm and the mutual aid call to Sudbury for the Wayside Inn fire.


As in 1954 we had our August hurricane in the form of rain. Like Edna, Diane called out the firemen to pump out cellars. The men worked at long stretches for several days, for the relief of over 100 homes and other property so affected by the storm.


One fire alarm extension was installed this past year on Pelham Island Road and terminated at Erwin Road. Three boxes were installed along its course and at Jeffrey Road suitable means of connecting to it electrically was provided so that the developer of that area can connect to it as his development progresses.


During 1955, 392 oil storage inspections have been made, and where the oil equipment was found to be in order a permit was issued. 17 installations have been found defective and permits denied until repairs were made by the owner. Fees collected from new oil burner permits for 1955 have amounted to $96.50 and have been turned over to the Town.


The Board is fully aware that there are certain areas of the Town that are not covered by fire alarm boxes, but the lines of the fire alarm system will be extended as rapidly as Town finances permit.


On December 22nd the department sent two pieces of fire apparatus to Sudbury to assist at an early morning fire at the Wayside Inn. Be- cause sub zero temperature and the lack of water hampered the firemen greatly, much damage resulted to the Inn and its contents.


The Board would like to bring to the attention of the citizens that to burn rubbish, leaves, brush, etc. in the open that a permit to burn should be applied for. These permits are issued at the Town Hall, Monday through Friday from 8-10 A. M., Saturday and Sunday from 8:30-10 A. M. It is necessary to have a burning permit for any day in the year, irregardless of the season.


During the past year plans have been under way for a new fire station and Town office with the proposed location at the intersection of Cochituate Road at the State Road. Chief Haynes has served on this building survey committee representing the interests of the Fire Dept.


Due to the lack of employment in the town for our call firemen and also the changes that some of the men made in their employees, it left the Fire Department considerably under manned during the daylight hours from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M. Monday through Friday. This condition prevailed more pronounced as late fall approached. This condition has caused the Board of Engineers grave concern and we believe that at least three permanent firemen should be added to the roster of our call department.


At this time, the Board of Engineers would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to the men of the Department for their co- operation; and especially for their having obtained short leaves-of- absence from their regular employment to staff completely both fire stations until conditions were restored to normal after the August flood. The Board would also like to thank Captain Hartin of the Cochituate


170


Company and his group of civil defense auxiliary firemen for their interest in continuing their drill periods throughout the year and to the help that they have rendered to the department. Our thanks are again extended to our neighboring towns of Natick, Weston, Framing- ham, Sudbury and Lincoln for their mutual aid services to the Red Cross Canteen Service, to the Civil Defense Department, to the local Police Department and to the citizens who on occasion have helped at the scene of a fire.


Respectfully submitted,


F. CLIFTON HAYNES, Chief HOMER L. MACDONALD, Assistant Chief PARKER GROTON, Deputy Chief ERNEST H. DAMON, Engineer Board of Engineers


PARK DEPARTMENT 1955


The Board of Park Commissioners sets forth below its report for the year 1955.


The year 1955 did not see any substantial change in Park Depart- ment property. The Commissioners continued their policy of gradually improving and cleaning up properties under their jurisdiction. The department's responsibilities were somewhat enlarged to include care of certain school grounds.


As set forth in the Beach Supervisor's Report to the Commissioners, prior to closing for the polio epidemic, attendance was averaging substantially in excess of 1,000 a day. Registrations at the Beach again exceeded the previous year.


The Park Commissioners wish to thank the Officials and the People of the Town who aided them in the discharge of their duties.


NATHANIEL HAMLEN, THOMAS F. MURRAY, FRANK S. TARR, Wayland Park Commissioners.


171


REPORT OF THE LIBRARY


1955 was a busy and eventful year at the Wayland Library and Cochituate Branch. The Questionnaire prepared by the Board of Trus- tees and sent out to 2,000 box-holders early in the year, produced a re- sponse of over 200. These answers, mainly serious and objective, were very useful to a new librarian, unfamiliar with the town and library users. They gave a picture of the kind of library the townspeople want.


In March we acquired new cases for the adults' and children's catalogs at the Main Library. The old cards were transferred to these cases and a start has been made on re-cataloging all books to be kept in the library. This project, carried on as time allows, will undoubtedly take a long period for completion. However, it should help to make the library's resources more useful to the public and the librarians serving them. During the summer we had the help of two high school students in thoroughly reading the shelves, putting the books in order and doing some weeding.


This year the library has begun to buy LP records for loan to the public. A good basic collection has been available for some time, begun by the Friends of the Library. Answers to the questionnaire showed that a great many people were not aware of the library's record collec- tion but we are glad to say that use is increasing.


There were some changes in library personnel during the year. We were very sorry to lose Mrs. Donald B. Willard who had been the assistant librarian at Cochituate since 1953, but happily she has con- tinued to serve the library as a member of the Board of Trustees. Her interest and understanding of the Cochituate Library have been of great help. In June Miss Dorothy Brewer, who had been the assistant at the Main Library, went to the Cochituate Branch. Mrs. Gerald Barnes of Natick came to the Main Library as assistant in August. Mrs. Frank K. Bentley has given us assistance at the Main Library during the year as she has in the past. Mrs. Thelma McKeen and Mrs. Daniel Harman have assisted at Cochituate.


During the year the library received many gifts of books, pam- phlets and magazines from individuals and groups. Particularly note- worthy among group gifts were: $100 toward the purchase of the 1955 edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, given by the Friends of the Library; a Catholic Bible and 2 books on Christmas and Easter, given by St. Agnes Guild; and a very generous gift of books to the Cochituate Branch, given by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the V. F. W.


The Garden Club supplied the Library with beautiful flowers, autumn arrangements and Christmas decorations during the year. The art teachers, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Kingsbury, have provided several very interesting exhibits of their classes' work.


The Friends of the Library and the Historical Society have held several public meetings at the Library which proved of great popular interest. The Great Books Discussion Group has been meeting at the Library on alternate Tuesdays since its new season began in the fall. As usual the Shaw Room has been used for group meetings from time to time.


172


Mrs. John Howard very generously volunteered to give a story hour at the Main Library. The series began in November but due to conflicts with other activities and transportation difficulties the attend- ance has been small. We shall continue the story hour on Saturdays at 11 A. M. on January 14, 28, February 11, 25. Thereafter it will be discontinued unless attendance increases.


As the months went by it became evident that the plumbing system at the Main Library needed some major repairs and replacements. Long continued leaks and evaporation had caused dampness to develop in the basement storeroom. All plumbing in the building was replaced and at the same time a water heater was installed. These improvements will surely prolong the life of the building as well as provide better working conditions for the staff.


The Cochituate Branch has great potentialities for growth in service, since it is located centrally in a closely settled area. At present it is used to capacity by school classes and the great need is for more books to fill their needs. We have made a start toward building up the collection of basic books as well as adding current materials. During the summer the Branch was open on Thursday afternoons for the first time and this practice was continued through the year. Thus, the Branch is open every afternoon from 2 to 5, Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7 to 8:30, and Saturday mornings from 9 to 12.


Altogether it has been a very interesting year for the staff of the Library. We have enjoyed working with the people of Wayland and Cochituate, and we have appreciated their patience with the changes that have been made.


STATISTICS


WAYLAND


COCHITUATE


1954


1955


1954


1955


Circulation


Circulation


Adult


15,589


19,076


Adult


7,627


8,011


Juvenile


8,379


10,614


Juvenile


6,670


7,149


Total


23,968


29,690


Total


14,297


15,160


New Borrowers


299


327


New Borrowers


216


236


515


163


Additions


1,224


853


Additions


421


413


(Purchases: 741 books, 22 rec-


(Purchases:


295,


Transfers


ords. Gifts: 90)


and gifts: 118)


Respectfully submitted,


MARJORIE FERRIS, Librarian.


173


·


REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR


The general Highway appropriation was used for maintenance, resurfacing, graveling, cleaning of drainage systems, brush cutting and roadside cleaning.


Betterment projects included the completion of Sylvan Way, Hay- ward Road, Valley View Road and Peck Avenue. On Springhill Road, the drainage, graveling and grading have been completed. One coat of asphalt has been applied and the final surface and side grading will be completed in the spring.


Under Chapter 90 Maintenance, Concord Road was resurfaced with asphalt and treated stone.


The Chapter 90 Construction appropriation was used on approxi- mately 3,500 feet of Sudbury Road. The drainage and gravel for the road base was installed and the road is now ready for the final surface, which will be done this year.


The Sidewalk Construction appropriation was used to apply a "hot-top" surface to the sidewalk from the Cochituate Fire Station to Dunster Avenue, and the westerly side of Main Street from Route 30 to Damon Street. A base course was installed on a section of sidewalk on the southerly side of Old Connecticut Path, from Maiden Lane to Pine Ridge Road.


The Roadside Spraying consisted of two applications of spray to approximately 30 miles of Town Roads, for the elimination of brush, poison-ivy, ragweed, etc.




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