USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1935-1939 > Part 45
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WALTER M. LAMONT, Chairman WALTER C. TOMLINSON, Secretary EDWARD P. HALL SIDNEY P. WHITE HERBERT LEWIS
Final report of the Planning Board upon proposed amendments to the Zoning By-Law as presented by the Planning Board.
A public hearing, after due notice given, was held upon four proposed amendments to the Zoning By-Law at the Town Hall on Friday evening, February 2, 1940, at seven o'clock, and after said hearing at a meeting of this Board at which a quorum was present and voting, it was
Voted: That the Board recommend the adoption of the four Articles filed by the Planning Board which would amend the Zoning By-Law so that the Board of Appeals may permit lands to be subdivided with lot frontages of less than seventy-five feet and for lot areas of less than eighty-five hundred square feet if two or more dwellings were located on an existing lot at the time this By-Law is adopted or if land is being subdivided for summer camp lots on or near the shores of a river, pond or lake; to amend Section IX by adding at the end of paragraph four thereof the following new sentence: "On corner lots no part of any building shall extend within twenty feet of the street line"; to amend Section IX by adding at the end of paragraph five thereof the following: "Provided, however, that on corner lots no buildings
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shall extend nearer than twenty feet to the street line"; and amend Section XII by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: "The Board of Selectmen may appoint one or more associate members of the Board of Appeals for terms of such length as shall be determined by the Board of Selectmen; and in case of a vacancy, inability to act or interest on the part of a member of the Board of Appeals, his place may be taken by an associate member designated by the Board of Selectmen, all in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40 of the General Laws as amended from time to time."
The Board reports therefore that it has considered all factors pertaining to such proposed changes and recommends the adop- tion of all four articles.
PLANNING BOARD
by WALTER M. LAMONT, Chairman
122
Board of Appeals Report
To the Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals under the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Andover is made up of the following members: James S. East- ham, Chairman, term expiring May 1, 1940; Roy E. Hardy, Sec- retary, term expiring May 1, 1941; Walter M. Lamont, term expiring May 1, 1942.
These three members made up the Board during the entire year 1939 with the exception of the period from May 1 to June 5 du- ring which Mr. Edward P. Hall served in place of Mr. Hardy.
During the year 1939, the fourth year of the Zoning Law, the Board heard and decided twelve cases as follows:
Petition of Anna White, decided on May 1, 1939, for a permit to maintain a roadside stand for the sale of farm products on her property on South Main Street .- Granted
Petition of Eugene Simard, decided June 1, 1939, for a permit to build a house on a shallow lot on the north side of Topping Road twenty-five feet from the street line and twenty feet from the rear lot line .- Granted
Petition of Arthur Heifetz, decided on June 1, 1939, for a permit to convert a one-family house at 12 Ridge Street into a three apartment house .- Granted
Petition of Edward C. Williams, decided on June 1, 1939, for a permit to erect and maintain a gasoline filling station at 205 North Main Street .- Granted
Petition of Foster C. Barnard, decided on June 16, 1939, for a permit to convert a double house at 32-34 High Street into a four apartment house .- Granted
Petition of Leo Gaudet, decided on June 26, 1939, for a per- mit to build a house on a narrow and shallow lot on Juliette Road twenty feet from the street line, twenty-five feet from the rear lot line, ten feet from the west side lot line and fourteen feet from the east side lot line .- Granted
Petition of John J. Fleming, decided on June 26, 1939, for a permit to convert a one-family house at 23 Maple Avenue into a three apartment house .- Granted
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Petition of Evelyn R. Marr, decided on July 3, 1939, for a permit to convert a residence at 11 Locke Street into a four apartment house .- Denied
Petition of Maude T. Atherton, decided on September 5, 1939, for a variance in the Zoning By-Law to permit her to make an addition to her property at 109 Main Street .- Denied
Petition on Benjamin F. Dane, decided on October 2, 1939, for a variance of the Zoning By-Law to permit a subdivision of land on which two dwelling houses were located, numbered 28 and 30 Cuba Street, and to permit the erection of a single car private garage at 28 Cuba Street ten feet from the south side lot line .- Granted
Petition of Charles W. Bowman, decided on October 2, 1939, for a permit to erect and maintain a gasoline filling station at the southeast corner of Park and Bartlet Streets .- Granted
Petition of James Martin, decided on November 10, 1939, for a permit to build a house on a lot of unusual topography on Celia Street fifteen feet from the street line .- Granted
It will be noted that ten of the above cases were for the exercise of the Board's discretion under the provisions of the Zoning Law and that two were under the extraordinary proceeding provided by statute for a variance or amendment of the Zoning Law in its application to a particular situation.
Your Board has no recommendations other than those con- tained in our previous reports.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. EASTHAM, Chairman ROY E. HARDY, Secretary WALTER M. LAMONT
February 3, 1940
124
Report of Playground Committee
The committee of supervised play covering activities on An- dover's playgrounds at Central, Shawsheen and Ballardvale here- with submits its report:
The registration for the past summer was: Central 1220, Shaw- sheen 510 and Ballardvale 425, aggregating 2155 children who at some time or other availed themselves of the facilities of these summer playgrounds. This enrollment in ratio to the appropria- tion shows an approximate cost of ninety cents per child, a small per capita tax for the safety and well being of our children during the summer months. The total attendance records show that 33,064 surpassed last year's attendance by over 6000.
The personnel was for the most part the same as that of last year with Miss Margaret Davis, general supervisor, assisted by 7 old instructors and 3 cadet instructors. Qualifications in play- ground work together with leadership and experience were the guiding factors in selecting our workers.
The poison ivy at Shawsheen, which had been a perplexing problem, has been entirely eradicated, insuring the children against further menace from this source.
The routine of tournaments covered sand building, jackstones, checkers, heel toss, midget bowling, box hockey, paddle tennis, etc. Each week a special program was held on each playground including Soap bubble contests, Prof. Quiz Tests, Doll, Pet, Pup- pet Shows, Boxing, Couple Racing and the annual Field Day. The annual picnic was held at Berry's Pond.
The usual annual carnivals were held on each playground made possible by groups of interested parents who cooperated with the instructors in raising funds to buy apparatus for their respective playgrounds.
This year we are asking for an increase in our appropriation of $500. This sum is to be used to build a small frame building on the Ballardvale playground. It will consist of suitable toilets, drink- ing fountains and store room for playground equipment. This is a most vital need on this playground and will complete and bring it on a par with the other two playgrounds, where permanent sanitary conditions are permanently installed.
125
It is a pleasure to state that the past season has been a very successful one from all angles especially from that of the genuine cooperation and willing spirit shown throughout the season by our supervisor and her co-workers.
Respectfully submitted, STAFFORD A. LINDSAY, Chairman
Report of Recreational Activities Committee
Last March you appropriated the sum of $400.00 for a skating area in the town of Andover, this money to be spent under the guidance of the Board of Public Works. Your committee on Rec- reational Activities wish to state that the Board of Public Works had the football field at the Playstead flooded early in December, and they have kept this area in good skating condition practically all winter.
They kept the snow off Rabbit's pond, Hussey's pond and the flats of the Shawsheen River in Ballardvale, so that there were four good places in the town where the parents as well as the children could avail themselves of the skating privilege.
It is now the hope of this committee that this has been estab- lished as an annual service to be carried in the budget of the Board of Public Works who have handled the matter in 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
BLANCHE B. WALEN, Chairman STAFFORD A. LINDSAY JEROME W. CROSS GEORGE G. BROWN
126
Board of Retirement Report
To the Board of Selectmen
Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
The Board of Retirement herewith submit the following report for the year 1939:
Balance, Jan. 1, 1939: $ 1977.89
Receipts, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1939:
Deductions, Group I
$4905.37
Deductions, Group II 2190.67
$ 7096.04
Interest, 1939, on bonds
965.00
Interest, Andover Savings Bank
106.96
Appropriation, 1939
11574.00
Redemption of Bonds
2040.00
Balance on exchange of bonds
83.22
Total Receipts : 21865.22
$23843.11
Expenditures, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1939 :
Pension Payments :
Group I
$3944.82
Group II 1648.96
$ 5593.78
Investments
14392.51
Office Expenses 109.84
Return of Accumulated Deductions 177.88
Total Expenditures :
$20274.01
Balance, December 31, 1939: $3569.10
127
A schedule of membership for the year 1939 follows:
January 1, 1939: Active Members
102
Enrolled during 1939
6
108
Retirements during 1939
8
Withdrawals
1
Deaths
1
10
Total Active Members, December 31, 1939
98
January 1, 1939: Pensioners
4
Retirements during 1939
8
12
.
Deaths of Pensioners
3
Total Pensioners, December 31, 1939
9
Total Membership, December 31, 1939, including Beneficiaries
107
Section 5 of Chapter 464 of the Acts of 1938 provides that one member of the Retirement Board be elected by the members of the system. In compliance with this amendment election was held on Tuesday, January 9, 1940 at the Town Clerk's office and George H. Winslow was voted a member of the Board.
The total investment made by the Board ot date is $33402.68, and the net income on bonds plus the savings bank interest was $158.83 more than was required to cover the 3% annual interest credited to the fund.
The amount required to add to the fund by town appropria- tion for the year 1940 is $12144.00.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY COLLINS, Chairman GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Secretary EDMOND E. HAMMOND, Board of Retirement
-
-
128
Board of Public Welfare
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1939:
Business conditions were much improved locally during 1939 and this was reflected in a decline in the amount of aid rendered throughout the year.
In 1938 $29677.62 was spent for General Relief, whereas in 1939 this was reduced to $21524.20.
Old Age Assistance has not shown so great an increase as was anticipated, but we do expect an annual increase for the next four or five years or until the Old Age Insurance plan takes care of employable persons. On January 1, 1939 there were 164 persons receiving Old Age Assistance. During the year we received 61 applications for assistance, of which 43 were approved and 18 rejected. There were 30 cases closed by death or other reasons which leaves 177 cases as of December 31, 1939. This is made up of 102 women and 75 men.
Under Soldiers Relief we spent $2978.08 in 1939 against $3469.94 in 1938. We have aided 23 veterans and their families during the year.
Under Aid to Dependent Children, sixteen families have been aided, representing forty-seven dependent children.
Quarterly visits to the homes of these cases have been made and also the necessary investigations and reports according to the statutes have been complied with.
Nine boys from needy families have been sent to the various C.C.C. camps.
The W.P.A. Sewing Project is still in operation at the Town House. Six women and one supervisor are working on the project.
During 1939 the value of commodities distributed in Andover was $8,299.58. In addition to this allotment of food, there was distributed also clothing having a value of $6,089.70. The com- bined value of both food and clothing for the year 1939 was $14,389.28.
The following W.P.A. projects have been in progress :
129
Work Project Location
Description Av. No. of Men
No.
17812 ยท Farm to Market
Gravelling and Widening 40
12988
Town
Water Main Installation 45
20966
17273 Town
Engineering Survey 7
*18686
Lewis Street
Town Garage 11
*20201
Summer & Pine Sts.
Drain Installation
30
*18223
Hidden Road and Gardner Avenue
Sewer Installation 30
+18111
Town
Storm Drains 30
+16600 Town
Cutting Back Corners 45
+Suspended #Fluctuates *Completed
The above W.P.A. projects were under the supervision of the Board of Public Works. 1
The following W.P.A. projects were in operation during the year under the supervision of George R. Abbott, Moth Superin- tendent and Tree Warden.
W.P.A. MOTH PROJECTS 1939
Work Project Location Description Av. No. of Men
No.
15367 In woodlands at Moth Control 28
Fosters Pond
18446
In woodlands off Moth Control 22
Dascomb Rd.
Osgood St.
Brown St.
We wish at this time to thank all organizations and private citizens who have cooperated with our board, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas time which helped bring cheer to many needy families.
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
130
ANDOVER TOWN INFIRMARY
Number of inmates January 1, 1939
10
Number admitted during the year
19
Number discharged
18
Number of deaths
1
Number between 1 and 10 years of age
4
Number between 10 and 20 years of age
4
Number between 20 and 30 years of age
2
Number between 30 and 40 years of age
1
Number between 40 and 50 years of age
2
Number between 50 and 60 years of age
3
Number between 60 and 70 years of age
6
Number between 70 and 80 years of age
3
Number between 80 and 90 years of age
4
Number of inmates January 1, 1940
10
The Town Infirmary has been a busy place during 1939. We have had a larger number of inmates than usual and much more illness.
We also have given temporary shelter and care to fourteen townspeople who have met with misfortune.
One of the rooms in the private section has had to be used for our nurse, so only three rooms have been available for use in our Convalescent Home.
These rooms have been constantly in use and the sum of sev- enteen hundred and thirty-nine dollars and twenty-five cents ($1739.25) has been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
BERTHA W. THORNTON, Matron
131
Fire Department
January 1, 1940
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the Fire Department from Jan- uary 1, 1939 to January 1, 1940.
During this time the department has answered 156 bell and 56 still alarms.
Value of buildings where fires have occurred $108,525.00; loss on same $19,050.50 mostly covered by insurance.
We have laid 8420 feet of 21/2 inch and 3700 feet of 1 inch hose.
The equipment consists of one combination hose and chemical, one combination pump, hose and booster year 1914, one combina- tion pump, hose and booster year 1928, one combination pump, hose and booster year 1937, one ladder truck year 1923, one am- bulance year 1926, one ambulance year 1937, one forest fire truck.
7500 feet 21/2 inch hose ; 2400 feet 11/2 inch hose; and 3500 feet inch hose.
During the year the ambulance has answered 415 calls to take sick or injured persons to hospitals or homes.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. EMERSON, Chief Fire Department
132
Police Department
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, 1939.
MISCELLANEOUS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND INVESTIGATED
Complaints received and investigated
630
Automobile accidents minor 156
Automobile accidents fatal
2
Ambulance Calls covered by Police
30
Summons served for out of town Police
65
Automobiles stolen in Andover
4
Automobiles reported stolen out of town
25
Automobiles recovered for out of town Police
10
Bicycles stolen
22
Bicycles recovered
20
Breaks in camps and dwelling houses
33
Doors found open and secured
63
Lost children returned to parents
12
Missing persons reported and located
14
Dogs killed by automobiles and cared for by Police
25
Telephone and Telegraph Poles down and guarded
2
Street Lights reported out to the Lawrence Gas Co. Fires covered by Police
38
Dogs lost and returned to owners
50
Persons notified for out of town Police
35
Persons notified to report for work
7
Persons taken to Tewksbury State Hospital
11
Persons taken to Danvers State Hospital
11
Dogs shot by Police after having been injured
9
Stray boys picked up for out of town Police
2
Trees blown down on Highway and guarded Dogs killing hens
2
Automobiles recovered in town, and stolen in town
2
Dog bites reported to Board of Health
18
Suicides
3
133
395
1
Cats killed by automobiles cared for by Police
12
Houses checked while owners away 61
Persons put up for the night at Police Station Total Number of arrests for 1939
40
Drunkenness
68
Operating automobile under the influence of liquor
44
Operating an automobile to endanger life and safety All other arrests not listed
25
Property stolen out of town and recovered in Andover 9 automobiles valued at $4,200.00
Property reported stolen in Andover value $2,100.50
Property recovered including automobiles value $5,200.00
Fines paid in District Court $2,870.00
Fines paid in Superior Court
$535.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
3 Harley Davidson Motorcycles
1 1937 Plymouth Sedan
1 1939 Plymouth Sedan
3 Police Radios
2 Bullet Proof Vests
1 Camera
2 Large Gas Guns
2 Gas Clubs
12 Gas Shells
14 Revolvers
1 22 Cal. Target Pistol
2 Riot Guns
12 Riot Clubs
12 Regular Billies
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE, Chief of Police
.134
197
60
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
To the Board of Health:
As Board of Health Nurse and Agent it is again my duty to submit the following annual report to the Board of Health and townspeople of Andover.
1939 1938
1937
Septic Sore Throat
0
0
34
Dog Bite
49
58
52
Tuberculosis
3
3
6
Scarlet Fever
15
60
34
Chicken Pox
47
28
83
Whooping Cough
39
4
10
Diphtheria
1
0
0
Measles
306
6
83
Mumps
45
22
41
Anterio Poliomyelitis
0
0
0
Epidemic Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
0
0
0
Gonorrhea
7
10
3
Syphilis
14
1
6
German Measles
1
1
1
Lobar Pneumonia
2
3
6
Malaria
0
0
0
Undulant Fever
1
0
0
Typhoid Fever
0
0
1
Other forms of eye infections reportable
0
1
0
530
197
360
. DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1939
1938
1937
Scarlet Fever
0
0
0
Diphtheria
1
0
0
Measles
0
0
0
Lobar Pneumonia
3
2
1
Tuberculosis
2
0
1
-
Total
6
2
2
135
Andover should be proud of the fact that it has had only two cases of Diphtheria in the last nine years. It was not until the latter part of 1939 that a case of Diphtheria came to the attention of your Board of Health, when a one year old child, a visitor in Andover, was reported as a questionable case of sickness from this disease. An investigation into this case revealed that no immunization treatment of this child had been given to it in the community from which it came. Twenty-two cultures taken of the family where the child was staying proved negative. In the future as in the past Andover should guard against this disease and your Board of Health advocates that children should be immunized between the ages of six months and one year. Do not hesitate to call upon your family physician to consult him about the important practice of immunization in seeking better health for your children.
There was a mild epidemic of measles this year, not only in Andover, but apparently all over the State. However, we were fortunate in the fact that there were no deaths and very few complications of a serious nature.
State and local Departments of Health have long battled against the spread of Gonorrhea and Syphilis and are now ac- tively engaged in trying to prevent Syphilis in a somewhat lim- ited field. I refer to the effort to insure the birth of unborn children free from disease of this nature. A recent law passed by the State and which became effective on November 1, 1939, states that physicians treating expectant mothers shall take blood samples and send them to the State Laboratory for examination. To those mothers who are unable to afford the expense of pre-natal care, I would suggest a visit to some clinic through the kindly offices of your family physician.
In aiding crippled children there was established in 1939 a new clinic. Admission to clinic granted on the signed application of the family physician, but it is necessary that the financial cir- cumstances of the crippled child's family be such that it would be impossible for that child to be treated as a private patient. Your Board of Health can only recommend that the parents of crippled children consult the family physician who will be pleased to secure the services of this clinic where it is financially necessary. Along this line and as a further aid to the State Department of Health a new law has been passed which requires that physicians in at-
136
tendance at the birth of a baby, within a period of sixty days from such birth, must file with the town clerk a record of all children born with congenital deformities. These records are not open to the public, but are merely an aid to the State in finding cases of crippled children who need and deserve treatment. Andover, through this service, has taken care of all crippled children who have come to the attention of your Board of Health.
The Andover Baby Clinic which has been established and in progress for several years is still popular, its attendance has in- creased, and your Board of Health feels that it fills a proper spot in community endeavor.
The Andover Board of Health is still taking advantage of the offer of the State Department of Health and County Health facilities in its preventive work against the dread tuberculosis. Many children and adults have been X-rayed, tuberculin tested, and given physical examinations through clinics. We are fortu- nate in having such fine facilities and your Board of Health is ever ready to assist in such beneficial work and seeks your co-opera- tion.
Our Dog Clinic is doing some good work in the prevention of Rabies and we request owners of pets to take the steps offered to them to benefit their canine friends and the general public.
I feel it my duty to call to the attention of all places such as filling stations and garages the fact that a new law has been passed pertaining to Wood Alcohol or any substance containing such alcohol. Such liquid must be properly labelled; there must be a license granted to sell it ; and such license, regardless of the date of issue, now expires on April thirtieth, and should be promptly renewed.
There is a further new law relating to any person conducting recreational camps, overnight camps or cabins, trailer camps. They must be licensed yearly by local health departments. Under the law proper health and sanitary regulations are prescribed and anybody in Andover charged with the operation of such projects should familiarize themselves with the provisions of the law.
The usual and routine inspections were made this year and several recommendations were followed successfully.
All communicable diseases must be reported to the Board of Health by Physicians, Parents or Guardians.
137
My wish for Andover is to continue its good record of health. The co-operation of the citizens of Andover is appreciated and sought for by the Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
LOTTA JOHNSON, R.N.
-
138
Milk Inspector's Report
January 1, 1940
To the Andover Board of Health:
I have the honor to submit my annual report as Inspector of milk for the year 1939.
After inspection of premises and dairy plants the following licenses were granted:
Milk and Cream (Dealers, House to House, Wholesalers) 21
Milk and Cream (Retailers, stores, hotels and others) 43
Oleomargarine 8
Pasteurization 6
Ice Cream (Wholesale)
1
Ice Cream (Retail Manufacturer)
5
This resulted in a revenue of $143.00 to the town-an increase over 1938 of $3.00.
While in the process of distribution to consumers in dealer vehicles, chain stores, and other establishments the following samples were taken and analyzed:
Samples of Milk (Stores) 49
Samples of Cream (Stores) 27
Samples of Milk (Dealers) 67
Samples of Cream (Dealers) 15
Total 158
From the samples of milk taken for butterfat and solids test there were 8 samples of milk below the standard, and 3 samples of cream were found to be below the standard, however on second samples taken within a week were found to be up to the standard.
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