USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1935-1939 > Part 6
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5. Rear Yards. Behind every dwelling there shall be provided a back yard between the rear line of the house and the rear lot line, not less than thirty feet in depth. A rear yard may contain accessory buildings not over one and one-half stories high and covering not over thirty percent of its area.
6. Yards For Non-Residential Buildings. Any use, not resi- dential or accessory, permitted in a Single Residence or Educational District, shall observe all provisions of this By-Law in regard to depth and width of yards as applied to dwellings.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION X
NON-CONFORMING USES.
1. Existing Buildings. Any building or part of a building which at the time of the adoption of the Andover Zoning By-Law was and still is being put to a non-conforming use, may continue to be used for the same purpose or for pur- poses not substantially different and may be repaired or structurally altered; but, no such building if destroyed to the extent of 100% of its assessed value shall be rebuilt unless the Board of Appeals after a public hearing as set forth in SECTION XIII, Article 4, finds that such action is required to prevent unnecessary hardship or gross eco- nomic loss to the owner and is not injurious to the district in which it exists; and then only by permit from the Board of Appeals and otherwise subject to the terms of the pro- visions set forth.
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2. Removal of Earth, etc. The removal for sale of loam, sand, gravel or quarried stone, bordering on, or within 250 feet of a street line, shall not be permitted except by permit from the Board of Appeals. No loam to be removed for sale for more than one-half of its depth in any part of the Town, except when incidental to, and in connection with the construction of a building, for which a permit has been issued.
3. Wherever a non-conforming use has been changed to a more restricted use, it shall not again be changed to a less restricted use.
SECTION XI
ACCESSORY USES.
1. Accessory uses shall be on the same lot with the buildings of the owner or lessee, and shall be such as do not alter the character of the premises on which they are located.
2. The housing of employees in Single Residence and Educa- tional Districts on the property of the owner shall be deemed an accessory use.
3. The use of a room or rooms in a dwelling as a professional office or studio or for customary home occupations by a person resident in the dwelling may be permitted and a . small professional sign of not more than two square feet area may be used; but no public display of goods shall be permitted.
4. Where manufacturing of any kind is permitted as an accessory use, it shall be restricted to such light manu- facturing as is incidental to a permitted use and where the product is customarily sold on the premises by the producer to the consumer.
5. In farm area, buildings incidental to a farm requirement, shall be considered as accessory, and on lots of five acres or over, the keeping of riding or driving horses, all subject to Board of Health regulations.
SECTION XII
BOARD OF APPEALS. A Board of Appeals of three members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen is hereby created under provisions of Chapter 40 of the General
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Laws and any and all amendments and additions thereto, includ- ing Section 30 of Chapter 269 of the Acts of 1933; to assume the duties and powers given to said Board hereinbefore stated par- ticularly with reference to the following :
1. To adapt the requirements of this By-Law to irregular, narrow, or shallow lots or those unusual either in shape or topography, provided that the spirit and intent of this By-Law with regard to open spaces is preserved.
2. To permit a substitution for or an extension or alteration to an existing building whether conforming or non-conforming in accordance with provisions on use.
3. To grant temporary and conditional permits of limited duration for non-conforming uses and buildings incidental to development operations.
4. Permit conversion of a one-family house existing at the time this By-Law is adopted into a two-family or apart- ment house.
5. The Board of Appeals may grant no variation which would amount to an amendment of this By-Law, all such amend- ments to be made as provided in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 30, and additions or amendments thereto.
SECTION XIII
PERMITS OF BOARD OF APPEALS REQUIRED. The Board of Ap- peals may under restrictions which will carry out the provisions of this By-Law and tend to protect and improve the neighborhood issue the following permits:
1. A roadside stand for the sale of the produce of the land of the owners, and of other land within the Town, or adjoining towns, provided that the front yard regulations, and all other conditions imposed by the Board of Appeals, are complied with.
2. The removal of loam, sand, etc., as set forth in SECTION X, Article 2.
3. Boarding or lodging houses, tea rooms, clubs or hotels, in a Single Residence or Educational District, or for a ceme-
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tery, hospital, sanitarium or philanthropic institution, air- port, or for a filling station, or a place of business of any blacksmith, baker, builder, carpenter, contractor, up- holsterer, and subject to existing laws already in force.
4. Where special permits by the Board of Appeals are re- quired under this Section, the Building Inspector shall issue no permit until so directed in writing by the Board of Appeals. Upon application for such a permit the Board shall give not less than seven (7) days' public notice by publication in a newspaper and by mail to the applicant and to the owners of all property deemed by the Board as affected by such a permit, and shall hold a hearing and render a decision. The applicant shall show to the satis- faction of the Board that the use of the premises for which application is made shall not constitute a nuisance because of noise, vibration, smoke, gas, fumes, odor, dust or other objectionable features, and that such use shall not other- wise be injurious to the inhabitants of their property, or dangerous to the public health or safety. When not so satisfied the Board shall refuse a permit. When, in the opinion of the Board such a permit may be granted if accompanied by conditions specially designed to safeguard the district and the Town, it shall impose such conditions and make them a part of the decision, and they shall be made a part of the permit issued by the Building Inspector.
SECTION XIV
LOCATION OF AUTOMOBILE SERVICES. No portion of the front or side lines of a public ga- rage, automobile repair shop, greasing station, storage battery service station, or gasoline filling station, or any of their appur- tenances or accessory uses, shall hereafter be placed within 50 feet of any residence district. No such premises shall have any driveway entrance or exit for motor vehicles within 300 feet of the property used by any public or private school, public library, church, playground or institution for the aged, sick or dependent, or for children under 16 years of age. Every filling station in a Business District shall hereafter be located not less than 15 feet inside the building line.
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SECTION XV
ENFORCEMENT. This By-Law shall be administered by the Build- ing Inspector.
He shall approve no application of any kind, plans and specifi- cations and intended use, which are not in all respects in con- formity with this By-Law.
Applications for building permits shall be accompanied by a plot of the lot in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions of the lot and the exact location and size of the build- ings already upon the lot, and of the building or structure to be erected, together with the streets and alleys on and adjacent to the lot. A record of such applications and plats shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Inspector.
SECTION XVI
CONFLICT OF LAWS. In general this By-Law is supplementary to other By-Laws affecting the use, height, area and location of buildings and structures and the use of premises. Where this By-Law imposes a greater restriction upon the use, height, area and location of buildings and structures or the use of premises than is imposed by other By-Laws, the provisions of this By-Law shall control.
SECTION XVII
APPEALS. Any person aggrieved by the action of the Building Inspector, or by a decision of the Board of Appeals, may appeal under the provisions of Section 27 and 27A, Chapter 40, of the General Laws, and amendments and additions thereto.
SECTION XVIII
AMENDMENT. This By-Law may be amended from time to time as provided by Law.
SECTION XIX
VALIDITY. The invalidity of any section or provision of this By-Law shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.
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SECTION XX
REPEAL. The Interim Zoning By-Law adopted by the Town at the annual meeting held in March of 1927 is hereby repealed.
SECTION XXI
This By-Law shall take effect as provided by law.
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Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Andover:
The Board of Public Welfare submits its annual report for the year ending December, 1935.
With increased employment in our local and surrounding industries for a greater part of the year, together with available E.R.A. funds, our expenditures were comparitively low. Begin- ning in the late fall, however, a great many sources of employment were forced to lay off help and in November, applications for aid greatly increased. This too, was due to the fact that W.P.A. rules and regulations did not allow persons who were temporarily out of work to be placed on the various projects. Other persons who for a time had received private work, could only be re-instated under certain rules and conditions, which were not under local control, but through the regional office at Salem.
The Federal projects have been a great help in relieving the welfare department as well as the surplus commodities which have been obtainable during the year. These commodities have included canned meats, vegetables, milk, a few times cheese and butter, as well as clothing, towels, bed linen and comforters, which certainly have been a great aid to the department as well as to the recipients, and which has saved the town a great deal of money.
We have provided hospital care for many this year, both at State Hospitals as well as private hospitals in Lawrence and Boston.
In the fall, Mrs. Anna French and Miss Anna Kuhn were appointed agents for the department and they ably assisted in visiting cases, distributing commodities and reporting on various needy cases.
Our cases with settlement elsewhere have all been carefully investigated and checked up with state visitors.
The clerical work has greatly increased in the office, due to the various reports which have been required in connection with Federal programs and inquiries from other boards of welfare as well as from state officials.
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When able, recipients of aid have worked for different depart- ments of the town and in all cases have seemed very glad to do this.
At the close of the year there were seventy Old Age Assistance cases, eighteen with settlement elsewhere.
Each week more applications are being filed and with the possibility this year of a reduction in the age limit from 70 to 65, it is expected that the cases will probably be doubled. There are possibilities, however, which may increase the reimbursement, so that the net expense to the town, even though the initial cost be doubled, will be materially reduced.
All cases have been thoroughly investigated as well as field visits made by the state investigator for this section.
We wish at this time to thank all the various charitable organ- izations, as well as many private citizens, who have given gener- ously to needy families, as well as of their time, which has been a great help.
Respectfully submitted,
JEREMIAH J. DALY, Chairman HOWELL F. SHEPARD J. EVERETT COLLINS
Conditions at the Infirmary remain about as usual, and as a part of our report we include that of the Matron of the Infirmary, which follows.
TOWN INFIRMARY
Number of inmates January 1, 1935
10
Number admitted during year
1
Number discharged
1
Number of deaths 2
Number of inmates January 1, 1936
8
Number between 20 and 30 years of age
1
Number between 60 and 70 years of age
1
Number between 70 and 80 years of age
1
Number between 80 and 90 years of age
5
BERTHA W. THORNTON, Matron
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Fire Department
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the Andover Fire Department from January 1, 1935 to January 1, 1936.
. During this time the department has answered 170 bell and 95 still alarms.
We have laid 6070 feet of 21/2 inch hose using 450 gallons of chemical and 629 feet of ladders.
Value of buildings where fires have occurred $190,250.00; loss on buildings $16,340.50, mostly covered by insurance.
The equipment consists of one hose and chemical, year 1912, one 750 gallon pump and chemical, year 1914, one 1000 gallon pump, hose and booster, year 1928, one ladder truck, year 1923, one Pierce Arrow brush fire truck, and one ambulance.
We have 6300 feet 21/2 inch hose, 700 feet 11/2 inch hose, 1600 feet 1 inch hose and one inhalator.
During the year the ambulance has answered 274 calls to take sick or injured persons to hospitals or homes.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. EMERSON Chief, Fire Department
131
Police Department
February 4, 1936
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, 1935.
MISCELLANEOUS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND INVESTIGATED
Complaints received and investigated
516
Automobiles accidents fatal
5
Automobile accidents minor
115
Ambulance calls covered by police
11
Summons served for out of town police
65
Automobiles stolen in Andover
9
Automobiles recovered in Andover
10
Automobiles reported stolen out of town
98
Automobiles recovered for out of town police
3
Bicycles stolen
11
Bicycles recovered
9
Breaks in camps and dwelling houses investigated by police
42
Doors found open and secured by police
99
Lost children returned to parents
11
Dogs killed by automobiles
32 2
Tel. & Tel. poles reported down
Street Lights reported out to Lawrence Gas Co. by police
221
Suicides reported and investigated by police
2
Fires covered by police
45
Dogs reported lost
36
Persons notified for out of town officers
38
Cows lost and returned to owner
Dogs killing hens
2
False alarms of fire
3
Dead bodies cared for
9 1
Live wires down and guarded by police
5 1
Dogs killing pigs
Tramps put up for night
52
Runaway boys turned over to out of town police
10
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4 4
Trees blown down in street
Lights put in dangerous places
Dwelling houses inspected while owners away
36
Dogs returned to owners
44
Persons bitten by dogs
39
Stolen property value
$2729.75
Stolen property recovered
$3388.00
(Part of property recovered stolen elsewhere)
DISPOSITION OF CASES
On file
24
Paid fines
148
Fines suspended
11
Suspended sentence to Bridgewater
2
Sentenced to Bridgewater
3
Committed to House of Correction
8
Committed to State Ins.
8
Held for Grand Jury
1
Released by police
32
Placed on probation
18
Not guilty
2
Dismissed
5
Appealed to Superior Court
11
Suspended sentence to House of Correction
4
Sentenced to House of Good Shepherd
1
Arrested for drunkeness
77
Operating auto drunk
16
Auto violations
168
Fines in lower court
$3184.00
Fines paid in Superior Court
$450.00
Total arrests
299
Females
2
Males
297
POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
3 Harley Davidson motorcycles
2 gas guns
1 1934 Ford sedan
2 gas clubs
1 1935 Plymouth coach
12 gas shells
3 police radios
12 revolvers
2 bullet proof vests
1 target pistol
1 camera
2 riot guns
12 riot clubs
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE, Chief of Police
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Investigation Committee
January 4, 1936
GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Esq.
Town Clerk, Andover, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The committee appointed by the Moderator, pursuant to the vote of the Town at its last annual meeting, "To investigate and study all Town Departments and expenses and to report recom- mendations to the Town Clerk prior to January 5th, 1936, regard- ing more economical operations of all Town Departments," wishes to submit the following report.
In making its investigation this committee held several meet- ings from August 1st to the current date, meeting with the Selectmen and various department heads.
There are doubtless many ways in which Town expenses may be reduced, but the committee is convinced that with few excep- tions any appreciable reduction would involve the curtailment of services which the citizens now enjoy, and for this reason no drastic changes are recommended.
It should be understood at the outset that in making recom- mendations concerning town officers, this committee does not in any way refer to the present incumbent, but has taken a broader and more general view and considered the position rather than the individual.
While not making a specific recommendation for immediate action, the committee feels that the Town should give serious consideration to the possibility of placing the work of the Town Treasurer and Tax Collector under one head.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
1. The installation of a one thousand gallon gasoline tank in some central location, so the Town may buy its gasoline and oil at wholesale.
Note-If this recommendation is adopted, one person should have the responsibility for the distribution of gasoline and oil to be supplied to the Fire, Police, and Tree Departments, the Board of Public Works, and Spring Grove Cemetery.
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2. That in the interests of economy the Board of Public Works, and School Committee hereafter consolidate their requirements for coal into one order when asking for bids.
3. Increasing competitive bidding for all departments where feasible.
4. Closing the North School, unless student enrollment for the coming year is greatly increased.
Note-According to the committee's information an expenditure of approximately $1350 will be required to maintain this school for the current year, and there are only nine children, of varying ages, in attendance. The committee has been informed that these children could be transported to the central schools at no additional ex- pense to the Town, and they would then be able to obtain instruction with other pupils nearer their own ages.
5. A careful study by the School Committee of the method employed for the distribution of free transportation tickets to children using the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway.
Note-This committee understands that each child transported by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Rail- way is given a ticket of ten rides each week, regardless of the number of unused rides he may have on the ticket of the previous week. The committee has been informed that there has been an abuse of the privilege extended by these tickets. It is the opinion of the committee that the school department should purchase a number of tickets, give one to each student, with the requirement that said ticket be returned after it had been entirely used, in order to obtain a new one. If this, or some similar method, is adopted, the committee feels that a consider- able saving will be effected.
The committee wishes to take this opportunity to thank the Town officers, employees, and other citizens, who supplied in- formation.
Respectfully submitted,
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY HAROLD T. HOUSTON ELDON E. STARK WILLIAM R. HILL HENRY S. HOPPER
135
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 report to the Board of Health and townspeople of Andover.
1935
1934
1933
Septic Sore Throat
1
0
0
Dog Bite
34
34
8
Tuberculosis
5
6
4
Scarlet Fever
32
25
13
Chicken Pox
135
15
32
Whooping Cough
3
32
35
Diphtheria
1
1
0
Measles
5
109
31
Mumps
16
4
56
Anterio Poliomyelitis
7
1
1
Gonorrhea
6
3
10
Syphilis
4
4
2
German Measles
288
0
0
Lobar Pneumonia
1
3
7
Encephalitis Lethargica
0
0
1
Malaria
1
0
0
Undulant Fever
1
0
0
540
237
200
DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1935
1934
1933
Tuberculosis
0
2
2
Lobar Pneumonia
1
1
4
Scarlet Fever
0
1
1
Syphilis
0
0
1
Encephalitis Lethargica
0
0
1
Diphtheria
0
1
0
Measles
0
1
0
-
-
1
6
9
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I shall begin this report with an appeal to all the parents of little children in Andover, an appeal that has a most important bearing on the health of those little children as well as the purses of the taxpayers of Andover. Diphtheria is the dread disease to be considered and it is my hope that all children of pre-school age may be immunized against it. The Schick test offers the oppor- tunity for immunization. At this time I shall present the follow- ing records of this disease in Andover over a twenty-year period.
ELEVEN YEARS PREVIOUS TO SCHICK INOCULATION
1915 to 1920
27 cases
1920
15 cases
1921
21 cases
1922
16 cases
1923
8 cases
1924
2 cases
1925
7 cases
96 cases, with seven deaths occurring
NINE YEARS AFTER THE SCHICK INOCULATION
1926 to 1930
4 cases
1927
No cases
1928
2 cases
1929
1 case
1930
1 case
1931
1 case
1932
No cases
1933
No cases
1934
1 case
1935
No cases
10 cases, with one death occurring
It may readily be seen from these figures that the program of your Board of Health has materially reduced the possibilities of acquiring Diphtheria. Wherever a person has succumbed to this malady, as disclosed in the above figures, there has never been immunization. Figures compiled and issued by the State Depart- ment of Health show that the average cost to the taxpayer of a
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case of Diphtheria is in the neighborhood of $30, whereas im- munization can be carried out at a cost of approximately 50 cents per child.
Since December 31, 1934 it has been the policy of the Board of Health and will continue to be its policy, to send letters to the parents of all children born asking the parents to have their babies immunized where their financial condition allows it, for it is a known fact that Diphtheria takes a heavier toll from very young children than it does from grown-ups.
I have written at some length on this disease, especially con- cerning the children of pre-school age, because if the people of Andover can and will protect their children, then indeed the fear of this disease and the possibility of acquiring it is reduced to a minimum. One further word for both children and grown-ups; do not hesitate to obtain immunization from your family physician wherever possible.
Although it would appear that Infantile Paralysis has reached the epidemic stage in many parts of the state and country, Andover has had no epidemic and has done everything possible to minimize the effect of this malady. In accordance with a request of the United States Public Health Service, our own State De- partment of Public Health now requires that a distinction be made in reporting Infantile Paralysis so that cases where no actual paralysis or loss of locomotion results should be reported as "nonparalytic anterior poliomyelitis." This form of reporting is a means of avoiding much of the ocnfusion that has in the past contributed to popular panic.
May I offer this word of advice. Whenever a man, woman or child has been stricken by this disease, it is very important to follow out in detail the advice of your family physician relative to the use of mechanical braces, massages and other exercises for the sufferer tending to alleviate their stricken condition.
The Ten Year Program of the State Department of Health which primarily concerns underweight children will be continued as in the past under the direction of your local Board of Health in conjunction with other agencies. This will include physical examinations, Von Pequoit tests, X-rays when necessary, as well as the dietitian's advice to mothers of underweight children on proper foods. This program will do much to further the good health of children and it will cut down the number of cases of
138
tuberculosis if the Board of Health can have the intelligent and willing co-operation of the townspeople.
Dog bites have been a constant problem to the Board of Health, but it has successfully coped with every known and re- ported case. A law of 1934, (see Chapter 320 of Acts of 1934) made it obligatory for treatment of dog bites under the supervision of your local Board of Health. Under the law cities and towns will be reimbursed for vaccine, contracted for by the County Commis- sioners, in an amount not exceeding the contract price. They will also be reimbursed for physicians' fees up to and including $50 in the case of any one individual, said $50 to cover the cost of both vaccine and treatment. (See Sec. 145A of revised "Laws Relating to Dogs".) The cost of treatment may be less than $50 in some cases, depending on the seriousness of the bite and its location. I cannot urge too strongly that whenever any person is bitten by a dog, such person should immediately get in touch with a physician and the local Board of Health.
Of all reportable diseases received by the Board of Health, German Measles was in preponderance. Owing to the similarity of this disease to Scarlet Fever and the difficulty of distinguishing between the two, it was very difficult to immediately check the spread of Scarlet Fever. With the splendid co-operation of the School Nurse, Miss Moreton, we were able to check the spread of this disease and no reported case resulted seriously. Parents can aid the Board of Health tremendously in this field, if they consult a physician, or report to the School Nurse or Board of Health at the earliest danger signal. It may then be properly diagnosed as to whether or not the patient has Scarlet Fever or German Measles and treatment can be given accordingly.
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