USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1935-1939 > Part 24
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A petition was filed by L. Day Van Hoesen for permit to main- tain a gasoline filling station near the Howard Johnson Restau- rant at the intersection of the North Andover by-pass with South Main Street. No action was taken upon this petition due to the fact that the Board of Selectmen denied a gasoline permit for the premises.
It will be noted that four of the above cases were under the extraordinary proceeding provided by statute for a variance or amendment to the Zoning By-Law in its application to particular lots. In only one of these cases was the statutory power made use of and the variance granted. Your Board is of the opinion that the power of variance should be exercised sparingly and only in rare instances where substantial hardship exists, and where desirable relief can be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially derogating from the intent or purpose of the By-Law.
It has been the policy of the Board to be generous in the exer- cise of any discretion granted to the Board by the townspeople by the provisions of the Zoning By-Law itself. Relief was granted in all cases which were brought before the Board in 1937 for relief under discretionary powers given by the Zoning By-Law. Four of the seventeen cases decided by the Board (the Teresa A. Fleming, Cheever, Tanzell, and Hildreth & Rogers Company cases) in- volved a variance under the statute rather than the exercise of any discretion under the Zoning By-Law. One (the John J. Flem- ing case) sought relief which was impossible for the Board to give since no discretion is given to the Board by the Zoning By-Law to permit a subdivision of less than seventy-five feet frontage. In all of the remaining twelve cases, the Board granted relief, exercising in favor of the petitioners the discretion given to the Board by the townspeople.
In all cases where relief has been granted, the Board has found that the spirit and intent of the By-Law with regard to open
117
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spaces would be preserved by the use permitted and that the petitioners have shown to the satisfaction of the Board that the use of the premises for which said permission is sought will not be injurious to the inhabitants of surrounding property or dangerous to the public health or safety. .
As a result of its experience, during the first two years of the administration of the Zoning By-Law, the Board has found that the By-Law needs certain clarifying and enabling amendments. In the matter of subdivision of lots, it has seemed to the Board that the requirement of 10,000 square feet without any leeway is too rigid and that some discretion should be given to the Board in certain cases to permit lots with areas of less than 10,000 square feet. The Board also feels that the setbacks on corner lots should be more clearly defined. It further urges the adoption of the statutory provision permitting the appointment of Associate Members of the Board of Appeals so that in case of a vacancy or inability to act by a Board member, or in a case where a member of the Board may be interested financially or otherwise in the matter in issue, his place may be taken by an Associate Member designated by the Selectmen.
The Board has submitted these amendments to the Planning Board of the Town of Andover and recommends that the amend- ments be adopted at the next Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. EASTHAM, Chairman ROY E. HARDY, Secretary WALTER M. LAMONT
February 1, 1938
118
Report of Andover Playground Committee
Board of Selectmen, Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
As Chairman of the Andover Playground Committee, I submit the following report of registration, attendance, and accounting for the year 1937, as follows:
Central
Ballardvale
Shawsheen
Registration of different individuals
1136
428
433
Attendance for season
16191
6281
5771
CR.
Appropriation
$1750.00
DR.
Salaries
$1491.81
Supplies
253.77
Trucking
4.00
Total expenditures
$1749.58
Balance to Revenue
. 42
$1750.00
$1750.00
Very truly yours, HENRY G. TYER Chairman of the Andover Playground Committee
1
119
West Center School Playground Committee Report
The annual Town Meeting voted the sum of $1000.00 for the purpose of acquiring by purchase or right of eminent domain the land of Miss Kate Pike adjacent to the West Center School.
The Board of Selectmen tried to purchase the land from Miss Pike, but she refused to sell for $1000.00, and the selectmen felt that it would not be good judgment to start proceedings to ac- quire by eminent domain as that would entail legal expenses and the risk that a jury might award excessive damages for the land taking. The committee agrees with the selectmen in their de- cision.
The committee recommends that the $1000.00 be appropriated again, and the selectmen be authorized to purchase land adjacent to the West Center School.
HERBERT LEWIS WILLIAM F. BARRON SAUL SHTRUMPFMAN West Center Playground Committee
Committee on Centralization Report
In accordance with a vote taken at the 1937 Town Meeting, the Moderator appointed a committee of five to "consider the cen- tralization of municipal offices, including any quarters for which the town is paying rent, and submit a report with recommenda- tions at the next Town Meeting." The five members appointed were Kirk R. Batcheller, Frank A. Buttrick, John M. Erving, Roy E. Hardy and Joseph A. McCarthy.
The committee organized and elected Roy E. Hardy, chariman and John M. Erving, secretary, Several meetings have been held and the separate members have discussed the question with many individuals.
120
The first work of the committee was to determine --
1. How many town departments are located in buildings not owned by the town.
2. What rent do these departments pay.
3. How much space do these departments need.
4. For what quarters occupied by organizations other than town departments is the town paying rent.
5. What rent do these organizations pay.
6. What space do these organizations need.
7. Are any town departments located in private homes, of- fices, or stores.
8. What space should these departments have in a municipal building.
Our preliminary work proceeded along the line of the eight questions outlined above. We found that the Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Tree Warden, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars are located in non-municipal buildings, paying $1920.00 per year for quarters other than storage or garage, and $740.00 per year for these two purposes. The records of the animal, building, wire, and plumbing inspectors are not under a municipal roof and it seems advisable to advocate an "inspector's room" in a town building. Other town departments or boards such as the Board of Registrars, Pomps Pond Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Lighting Committee, Planning and Appeal Boards, etc. may well use space generally used by other depart- ments.
The space required by the organizations mentioned above would approximate 3000 square feet in addition to a hall of at least 1200 square feet-where can we get this space?
· In connection with the present town hall there are three possi- bilities-
1. An addition in the front of the building.
2. An addition in the rear of the building.
3. Use of the present hall on the second floor.
Alternates one or two would require a building about 30'x55', two stories high, with a basement for storage of records. This would cost approximately $30,000.00 including the new heating plant that would be necessary. Alternate three would provide 4500 square feet of space, about what is required at present, but would
121
necessitate a new heating plant, a lowering of the ceiling, and many other changes running into an expense of about $20,000.00.
The committee feels that the three alternates outlined above offer but a temporary solution, and does not feel justified in recommending any of them. The present town hall was built in 1859 when our population was less than 5000 and our town gov- ernment was so simple that less than $20,000.00 per year was raised by taxation. We feel that the problem involves several important factors other than those mentioned in the vote estab- lishing the committee. Four of these are-
1. Is our problem a new municipal building?
2. Should the problems of fire and police quarters be con- sidered in connection with question No. 1?
3. What is the proper location for buildings mentioned in the first two questions?
4. What can be done to relieve the parking situation and help local merchants?
These questions present large and thought provoking problems, worthy of long and continued study. Much can be said in favor of making the whole area between Park, Bartlet, Barnard, and Main Streets a municipal parking area. Perhaps we should move our municipal buildings to the Shaw property of two acres on Main Street. Other possible locations are at the corner of High and Elm Streets; on either side of Central Street between the square and Brook Street; or in the vicinity of the junction of Park and Bartlet Streets.
During the years 1937-1941 inclusive we are paying off over $200,000.00 of our town debt. During the years 1942 and 1943 we will pay off $75,000.00 more and will complete payments on the Shawsheen School. This means that by 1944 our annual payments, on debt principal and interest will be at least $22,000.00 per year less than they are now. With full realization of the present un- certain business conditions and the magnitude of the problem, the committee believes that even years of study will be justified, and that a new municipal building may well wait for several years, perhaps even until our 300th birthday in 1946.
Our recommendations are both positive and negative. We do not advocate expensive alterations or addition to the present town hall. We do not advocate any new municipal building until
122
our debt is substantially reduced. We do recommend a further study of the question with particular reference to the proper location of any new municipal building, and the eventual use of the area between Park and Barnard Streets as a parking area. Accordingly we have prepared an article for the town warrant reading as follows:
"That the moderator appoint a committee of five to study the proper location of a new municipal building with particular reference to the parking problems of the business area of the town, and to report with recom- mendations in 1940."
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. HARDY, Chairman JOHN M. ERVING, Secretary KIRK R. BATCHELLER FRANK A. BUTTRICK JOSEPH A. MCCARTHY
123
Report of the War Memorial Tablet Committee
To the Citizens of Andover:
The committee appointed by the Moderator, pursuant to the vote of the town at its last annual meeting, "to placing suitable tablets in memory of those who served in the World War in the Memorial Auditorium," wishes to submit the following report:
This committee has held eight meetings from April, 1937 to the date of this report.
The task of compiling the list of eligible names to be placed upon the plaques has been one of the most difficult duties of the committee. We have checked and have come to decision on 480 names but there remain approximately thirty which we are en- deavoring to verify through various sources.
We wish to extend our thanks to Miss Sellars at the Town House for her great assistance in the matter of war records, and to other citizens who have helped us in various ways.
The final report of the committee will be available, it is hoped, within a reasonable time.
Respectfully yours,
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY
ROBERT V. DEYERMOND HOWELL F. SHEPARD CLIFFORD W. DUNNELLS HAROLD S. CATES
J. EVERETT COLLINS HERBERT P. CARTER
124
Board of Retirement Report
To the Board of Selectmen Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN :
The Town of Andover having accepted the provisions of Sec- tion 26 to 31 inclusive of Chapter 32 of the General Laws which- provides for Contributory Retirement Systems for certain town employees have by the appointment of this board on last July 1st started to collect contributions, the accumulation of which will build up the retirement funds.
At the present time there are 99 contributing members and six members over the age limit of 70, who are not contributing. Two members have retired and are receiving pensions monthly.
In order to meet required expenses of those receiving pensions and those applying for retirement in the future an accumulation fund must be set up. Therefore it is required to appropriate for that purpose this year $13,121.58.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY COLLINS, Chairman GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Secretary EDMOND E. HAMMOND
Board of Retirement
125
Board of Public Welfare
The Board of Public Welfare, submits the following report for the year 1937.
During the first nine months of 1937, business conditions were very good and through the month of September we had spent only about half of our Welfare appropriation. Then came the so- called Recession and the mills began to drop their regular help and persons who had been employed outside during the summer could not find employment. This began to make a serious problem for our Welfare Department and during November and December we were aiding about three times the number of cases we had in September. The maximum load was in December when we aided 88 cases with a total of 361 persons. At the close of the year there did not seem to be any prospect of a let up, but when the unem- ployment insurance begins to take effect we should have some cases taken from our hands.
Old Age Assistance is now the largest item under the Welfare Department. Starting the year with 127 cases, we have received 64 applications for assistance. Of this number 14 were not al- lowed. There were 30 cases closed by death or removal which leaves 147 cases as of December 31, 1937, which is made up' of 83 women and 64 men. The Federal Government relieves the town to the extent of one-half of all disbursements up to $30.00 a month and the State pays two-thirds of the balance. The money received from the Federal Government must be used for Old Age Assistance only, but the money returned from the State goes into Free Cash. The Government and the State are very exacting that all requirements of the law are fulfilled and many reports and verifications are necessary.
Under Soldiers Relief we have aided 24 veterans and their families. Most of these cases are of temporary relief as the veteran has been very fortunate in finding work on the W.P.A. which gives him first preference in being placed. Each year undoubtedly the work in this department will increase as the veterans are no longer young men and will need more assistance as the years go on.
126
During the year under Aid to Dependent Children we had eight new cases, which brought our total to 15. Three cases were closed out so now we are aiding twelve families representing fifty individuals.
The W.P.A. Sewing Project is still operating. In July the project was reduced from eleven sewers to six, five being laid off due to rules and regulations of W.P.A.
The Recreational Project at the Guild was discontinued in the early spring, which meant the loss of work to four men and four women.
The following W.P.A. projects have been in progress during the year, under the supervision of the Board of Public Works:
Approximate Number of Men Employed
Carmel Woods, cutting brush 25
Argyle, Carisbrooke and York Streets, constructing cross drains 20 Haggetts Pond, cleaning shore 14
Lincoln Street and Bellevue Road, improving water system in town 15
Gray Road-Bailey Road-Pleasant Street-Boutwell Road and High Plain Road, improving roads 10
(Gray Road was the only road completed, the others not because of the discontinuance of the project)
Haggetts Pond Road-graveling and widening (project being continued) 55
Another project at Spring Grove Cemetery, which employed fifteen men was started May 19 and continued through November 20. This project consisted of grading a new section of the ceme- tery, taking out rocks and reseeding approximately three and one-half acres of land, the work being done under the super- vision of the superintendent, Fred A. Swanton.
Four young men were sent from Andover to the various CCC camps uring the year.
A Moth Project, No. 4822, which was started in November, 1936, was carried on through the winter of 1937 until the first of May. Ten to 13 men were employed destroying gypsy moth and other insect eggs. A large area of woodland was covered in the southeast part of the town where infestation was heaviest.
127
W.P.A. project No. 13317 for insect control started December 20, 1937 and is now in operation. 15 men are employed cutting and burning brush and creosoting gypsy moth eggs. This work is confined to town property.
A larger W.P.A. project to employ 15 men has been applied for, to help control the gypsy moth and other insect pests. This pro- ject to be carried on in the woodlands and roadsides also includes spraying at the proper time; the above projects are under the supervision of George R. Abbott, Tree Warden and Moth Super- intendent.
Under the supervision of George H. Winslow, Town Clerk, a clerical project was completed during the year, which covered the typing of index cards and filing alphabetically births, marriages and deaths from 1850 to 1914 inclusive. A total of 21,329 cards were done and added to a previous project which covered the years 1915 to 1936. Since these projects were completed, the index and filing system is kept up-to-date.
Due to the increased demand for vital records for verification and substantiating citizenship and age, this system has proven of great value.
The project employed one typist for 657 hours at 5312 cents per hour, a total labor cost of $351.50 paid of course from federal funds. The town paid for rental of a typewriter and the materials used cost $48.80.
The Surplus Commodities have been a great help to needy families, especially the clothing. Quite a lot of used clothing has been donated by the local Red Cross Chapter and many private citizens, which was much needed by these unemployed families.
Again we wish to thank the various organizations and private citizens for their cooperation and help.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWELL F. SHEPARD, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS ROY E. HARDY
Board of Public Welfare
ARTHUR W. COLE, Agent EDITH P. SELLARS, Clerk Aid to Dependent Children
128
ANDOVER TOWN INFIRMARY
Number of inmates January 1, 1937
6
Number admitted during year
10
Number discharged
4
Number of deaths
2
Number of inmates January 1, 1938
10
Number between 10 and 20 years of age
1
Number between 20 and 30 years of age
1
Number between 30 and 40 years of age
1
Number between 40 and 50 years of age
1
Number between 50 and 60 years of age
2
Number between 60 and 70 years of age
1
Number between 70 and 80 years of age
4
Number between 80 and 90 years of age
4
Number between 90 and 100 years of age
1
BERTHA W. THORNTON, Matron
Eleven physicians used the rooms of The Andover Convalescent Home during the year, caring for twenty-four private patients.
Fifteen hundred and thirty-six dollars and fifty cents ($1536.50) was turned over to the town.
Doctors and patients all agree that this new venture has proved a great benefit to the townspeople.
BERTHA W. THORNTON, Matron
129
Fire Department
January 1, 1938
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the Fire Department from January 1, 1937 to January 1, 1938.
During this time the department has answered 155 bell, 90 still and 3 false alarms.
We have laid 12500 feet 21/2 inch hose, 1500 feet 11/2 inch hose and 3500 feet 1 inch hose.
Value of buildings and contents $405,374, loss on same $41,220, mostly covered by insurance.
The equipment consists of one combination year 1912, one combination pump, hose and chemical year 1914, one combina- tion pump, hose, and booster year 1928, one combination hose, pump, and booster year 1937, one ladder truck year 1923, one forest fire truck year 1923, one ambulance year 1937, one ambu- lance year 1923, 7000 feet 272 inch hose, 1950 feet 11/2 inch hose, 1800 feet 1 inch hose.
During this time the ambulance has answered 364 calls to take sick or injured persons to hospitals or homes.
CHARLES F. EMERSON
Chief Fire Department
130
Police Department
January 1, 1938
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1937.
MISCELLANEOUS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND INVESTIGATED
Complaints received and investigated
709
Automobile accidents fatal
5
Automobile accidents minor
148
Ambulance calls covered by Police
16
Summons served for out of town Police
55
Automobiles stolen in Andover
15
Automobiles recovered in Andover
25
Automobiles reported stolen out of town
66
Automobiles recovered for out of town Police
21
Bicycles stolen
8
Bicycles recovered
6
Breaks in camps and dwelling houses
26
Doors found open and secured
99
Lost children returned to parents
7
Dogs killed by automobiles and taken care of
45
Telephone and telegraph poles down and guarded
4
Street lights reported out to Lawrence Gas Co.
227
Fires covered by Police
23
Dogs lost returned to owners
89
Persons notified for out of town Police
78
Suicides reported and investigated by Police
2
Cows lost and returned to owners
11
Dogs killing hens
9
Dead bodies cared for
5
Lights put in dangerous places
2
131
Live wires down and guarded
Tramps put up for the night
4 47
Runaway boys returned to parents
13
Dwelling houses inspected while owners away Persons bitten by dogs
57
31
Hens stolen
80
Boys notified for C.C.C. Camp
7
People notified to report for W.P.A. work
13
Animal inspector notified regarding dog bites
40
Board of Health notified regarding dog bites
40
Stolen property reported
$5680.59
Stolen property recovered, some for out of town
$5477.48
NUMBER OF ARRESTS
Manslaughter
2
Operating Motor Vehicle to Endanger Life
22
Assault
4
Breaking and Entering
9
Breaking Glass
2
Larceny
8
Larceny of Automobiles
3
Adultery
1
Disturbing the Peace
1
Delinquency
3
Operating Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated
32
Drunkenness
108
False Alarm of Fire
1
Indecent Exposure
1
Motor Vehicle laws violating
66
Neglect or desertion of family, non-support
6
Peddling unlicensed
1
Vagrants
2
Profane language
1
Violation of Probation
1
Bastardy
2
Illegitimacy
3
Robbery while armed
3
Total number of arrests
282
132
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Paid Fines
107
On file
66
Sentenced to Concord
1
Sentenced to State Prison
1
Sentenced to Bridgewater
3
Suspended to Bridgewater
2
Committed to County Jail
18
Committed to State Hospital for Insane
7
Held for Grand Jury
5
Released by Police through Probation Officer
45
Placed on Probation
10
Dismissed
4
Suspended sentence to House of Correction
1
Continued Cases now pending
3
Appealed to Superior Court
7
Fines paid in District Court
$2880.75
Fines paid in Superior Court
$250.00
On file in Superior Court
2
POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
3 Harley Davidson Motorcycles
1 1936 Plymouth Coach
1 1937 Plymouth Sedan
3 Police Radios
2 Bullet Proof vests
1 Camera
2 Gas guns
2 Gas Clubs
12 Gas Shells
14 Revolvers
1 22-Cal. Target Pistol
2 Riot Guns
12 Riot Clubs
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE, Chief of Police
133
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
To the Board of Health:
As Board of Health Nurse and Agent it is again my pleasant duty to submit the following annual report to the Board of Health and townspeople of Andover.
1937
1936
1935
Septic Sore Throat
34
0
1
Dog Bite
52
46
34
Tuberculosis
6
4
5
Scarlet Fever
34
11
32
Chicken Pox
83
5
135
Whooping Cough
10
39
3
Diphtheria
0
0
1
Measles
83
44
5
Mumps
41
51
16
Anterio Poliomyelitis
0
0
7
Epidemic Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
0
1
0
Gonorrhea
3
1
6
Syphilis
6
4
4
German Measles
1
5
288
Lobar Pneumonia
6
6
1
Malaria
0
0
1
Undulant Fever
0
0
1
Typhoid
1
0
0
Total
360
217
540
DEATH FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1937
1936
1935
Scarlet Fever
0
0
0
Diphtheria
0
0
0
Measles
0
0
0
Lobar Pneumonia
1
3
1
Tuberculosis
1
2
0
Total
2
5
1
134
As will be seen from the foregoing figures, Andover has had no spectacular rises or falls in the number of diseases reported, and in spite of various disturbing factors, Andover continues to be a healthy community in which to live.
Let us now turn for a brief discussion of certain diseases. First I should like to call your attention to Rabies. Under this heading let me call to your attention a recent amendment to the Dog Law, so called, relative to the treatment against Rabies, as made by Acts of 1937, Chapter 375, which became effective on August 26, 1937.
The particular provision I wish to call to attention is that while upon application the Town is required to furnish Anti-rabic Treatment free of charge, as therein provided, "the city or town shall not be reimbursed, unless such dog is licensed at the time of such bite or other exposure." Thus, where a dog bite is now reported and an application for reimbursement is made, it will be necessary now to show that the dog was licensed and set forth the Name and Address of the Owner or Keeper, and the Current License Num- ber.
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