USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1940-1944 > Part 30
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The Town of Andover not only has furnished and cared for our comfortable quarters in the Town Hall, but also recently has enlarged the room to accommodate the expansion of the equip- ment made necessary by the large increase in the number of registrants. For all this we wish to express our appreciation.
We give on another page a list of the personnel of the local organization. All services are given willingly, and, except for the three permanent clerks in the office, are without pay.
Respectfully submitted for the Selective Service Board,
SAMUEL F. ROCKWELL, Chairman
149
Report of Rationing Board
Local Board Number 48, Andover, Mass.
February, 1943.
War economy raises many unusual problems among them being the problem of rationing. Rationing is the best method yet de- vised for the fair and equitable distribution of commodities of which there are shortages.
To handle this problem of rationing in Andover, Rationing Board No. 48 was organized. J. Everett Collins, Foster C. Barn- ard and Henry G. Tyer were appointed by the Board of Select- men. The appointments were approved by Henry Parkman Jr., State Administrator.
This Board, with J. Everett Collins serving as chairman, functioned up to August, during which time tires, bicycles, type- writers, gasoline, and sugar were rationed.
On August 21, the Board learned with regret that its chairman must retire. Irving Southworth was appointed to the Board and Foster C. Barnard was selected to take over the chairmanship.
This Board handled all the rationing problems until October when it was deemed necessary to appoint additional members to help meet the ever-increasing demands being made on the Board.
At the present time the Local Rationing Board includes four panels with three members serving on each panel. Foster C. Barnard is serving in the capacity of General Chairman of all panels and is ever ready to give assistance whenever and wherever it is needed.
Several registrations of various kinds were conducted in the public schools under the capable supervision of Edward I. Erick- son, Superintendent of Schools. The first registration was held on April 28 and 29; this was for the registration of commercial trade and institutional firms for sugar. The second registration was for the purpose of registering individual consumers and distributing War Ration Book One. This registration took place on May 4, 5, 6, and 7. On May 12, 13, and 14 the gasoline ration cards were distributed. July 9, 10, and 11 were the days set aside for the registration for gasoline coupon books. Fuel Oil Registration
150
was held on October 28, 29, and 30 and the coupons were dis- tributed on November 19 and 20.
The Rationing Board members take this opportunity to thank all the townspeople for their splendid cooperation and sincere understanding "in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history." The Board will endeavor to give its best to the citizens of Andover and to the Nation.
Respectfully submitted,
FOSTER C. BARNARD, Chairman
151
Board of Retirement Report
To the Board of Selectmen: Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
The Town of Andover Board of Retirement herewith submits the following report for the year 1942:
Balance, Jan. 1, 1942 : $10469.79
Receipts, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1942 :
Deductions, Group I
$6236.27
Deductions, Group II 2265.83
$ 8502.10
Interest, 1942, on bonds 2423.43
Interest, 1942, Savings Banks
153.46
Appropriation, 1942
14400.00
Redemption of Bonds
16705.00 42183.99
$52653.78
Expenditures, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1942 :
Pension Payments:
Group I
$6041.32
Group II 3391.32
$ 9432.64
Investments
32800.95
Accrued Interest on Investments
207.71
Office Expenses :
Salary, Clerk, Mary A. Loosigian
$562.80 1
Office Supplies, Station-
ery and Postage 147.66
710.46
Refunds:
Group I 1550.72
$44702.48
Balance, December 31, 1942 :
$7951.30
A schedule of membership for the year 1942 follows: January 1, 1942 : Active Members 107
Enrolled during 1942 4
111
152
Retirements during 1942 Withdrawn, 1942
4 5
9
Total Active Members, December 31, 1942
102
January 1, 1942 : Pensioners 10
Retirements during 1942.
4
Total Pensioners, December 31, 1942 14
Total Membership, December 31, 1942
including Pensioners
116
Securities were purchased during the year after due delibera- tion and each investment was considered carefully.
The amortized or investment value of the securities as set up by true actuarial practices was $54764.99, and the total amount in Savings Banks was $5173.19, as of December 31, 1942.
$14792.00 is the amount required to add to the fund by town appropriation for the year 1943.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY COLLINS, Chairman GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Secretary EDMOND E. HAMMOND
Board of Retirement
153
Board of Public Welfare
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1942:
We are pleased to report a further reduction in the number of cases aided and cash disbursed in all departments except Old Age Assistance, where the new laws enacted by the legislature during 1941 and enforceable after May 1, 1942, made an increase in the amount of assistance. The new laws make it mandatory for the town to pay any person eligible for Old Age Assistance $40.00 monthly if living alone, and $30.00 monthly in family groups, unless he has some form of income. A family group is de- fined as three or more people. A husband and wife are eligible for $65.00 monthly unless living in a family group, when $50.00 for two is the minimum. On January 1, 1942, there were 173 cases receiving Old Age Assistance, while at the close of 1942 we were aiding 171 cases, with a yearly average of 174. We received 58 applications for assistance, of which 37 were approved and 21 rejected. Thirty-nine cases were closed by death or for other reasons.
Soldiers' Relief showed a further reduction during 1942, when we aided six cases with 17 individuals, for a total cost of $1848.23.
Aid to Dependent Children has also shown a decrease, due to many children in these families finding employment. At the start of 1942, there were 15 families with 42 children being aided, while at the close of the year we were aiding 10 families with 28 children.
Two Andover boys were sent to C.C.C. camps in 1942, previous to July, when the Civilian Conservation Corps was liquidated.
During 1942, federal surplus commodities were distributed in Andover to those families on relief, by a W.P.A. project, but up to the time of writing this report, the total value had not been received.
Under the supervision of the Board of Public Works, the following W.P.A. projects were undertaken:
Work Pro- Location
Description Average No. of Men Employed
ject No.
22639 Town
Engineering Survey
2
22727
Town
Drains *12
154
20966 Town
Water Main Installations *15
22266
No. Andover Lawrence Airport 9
*Fluctuated
We wish at this time to thank all organizations and private citizens who have cooperated with our board, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, to bring cheer to needy families.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. HARDY, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS EDWARD P. HALL Board of Selectmen
ARTHUR W. COLE, Agent
155
Andover Town Infirmary
The Town Infirmary has provided home, food, clothing, medi- cal and nursing care for seventeen townspeople during 1942.
Each one was well remembered at Easter and Christmas, although our annual Christmas party had to be omitted due to so much serious illness in the Home.
The three rooms in the Convalescent section have been in con- stant use and there is a great demand for more beds for this type of work.
The Convalescent Home and paying patients in the Infirmary section have made it possible to turn over to the town the sum of twenty-six hundred and twenty-seven dollars ($2627.00).
Number of inmates January 1, 1942
10
Number admitted during the year
7
Number discharged during the year 5
Number of deaths 1
Number between one and ten years of age 0
Number between ten and twenty years of age
0
Number between twenty and thirty years of age 1
Number between thirty and forty years of age
0
Number between forty and fifty years of age 5
Number between fifty and sixty years of age
1
Number between sixty and seventy years of age 3
Number between seventy and eighty years of age 5
Number between eighty and ninety years of age 1
Number between ninety and one hundred years of age 1
Number of inmates January 1, 1943 11
Respectfully submitted, ·
BERTHA W. THORNTON, Matron
156
Fire Department
To the Board of Selectmen Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit my second annual report as Chief of the Andover Fire Department.
During the year 1942 the department answered the following alarms: 92 bell (3 false); 119 still; total 211-a decrease of 109 calls from last year. 46,150 feet of hose were laid as follows: 8950 feet of 212" hose, 8300 feet of 11/2" hose, 16,350 feet of 1" or forestry hose, 12,550 feet of 34" or booster hose. 704 feet of lad- ders were raised.
Total valuation of buildings where fires occurred : $165,445.00. Losses incurred totaled : $7522.00.
Ambulance calls for the year totaled 481. Of this number 25 were handled by the Chief's car.
On January 1, 1942 the equipment consisted of : Year
1 Combination pump, hose and booster truck 1914
1 Combination pump, hose and booster truck 1928
1 Combination pump, hose and booster truck 1937
1 65 foot Jr. Aerial Ladder Truck 1941
1 Ambulance 1926
1 Ambulance 1937
1 Forest fire truck 1923
1 Forest fire truck 1940
1 Ford sedan-Chief's car 1941
In April two 500 gallon trailer pumps were delivered for the use of the Auxiliary Fire Department.
Hose on hand includes: 8000 feet 212", 4500 feet 112", 3500 feet 1", 1400 feet 34".
The Central Fire Station has been improved by painting and refinishing all of the second floor, walls, ceilings and floors.
During the summer of 1942 the department has lost several men to the armed forces: Henry L. Pomeroy and Gordon Coutts entered the Coast Guard; George Williams elected to enter the Army Air Corps.
157
John T. Cole has been transferred from Engine No. 2 in Ballardvale to Engine No. 1 at the Central Station. Howard Colbath is driving Engine No. 2 in place of John Cole, and Charles Murnane is now on duty at the Central Station.
The department is still dangerously low in manpower, and I recommend that four more permanent men be added to give the town the necessary fire protection.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD BUCHAN Chief, Andover Fire Department
-
158
Police Department
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the Police Dept., for the year ending December 31, 1942.
Miscellaneous complaints received and investigated 350
Ambulance calls covered by Police
19
Summons served for out of town police
60
Automobiles stolen in Andover
2
Automobiles recovered in Andover
3
Automobiles recovered out of town
2
Bicycles stolen in Andover
12
Bicycles recovered in Andover
18
Breaks in camps and dwellings
40
Doors found open and secured
112
Lost children returned to parents
7
Dogs killed by automobiles
28
Live wires down and guarded by police
3
Street lights out reported to L.G. & E. Co.
384
Fires covered by police
85
Dogs lost and returned to owners
23
Persons notified for out of town police
46
Suicides reported and investigated
4
Cattle lost and returned to owners
1
Dead bodies cared for by police
6
Lights put in dangerous places
3
False alarm of fire
3
Tramps put up for the night
11
Runaway children returned to parents
3
Dwelling houses inspected while owners away
31
Persons bitten by dogs 37
Animal Inspector and B. of H. notified regarding dog bites
37
Articles found and returned to owners
35
Board of Public Works notified of dangerous conditions of streets 26
159
Males
Females
Assault
4
Rape, assault and attempt
2
Assault with a dangerous weapon
1
Breaking and Entering to commit larceny
2
Larceny and attempt
1
Larceny of Automobiles
1
Adultery
1
1
Town ordinance by law violating
2
Delinquency
1
Keeping unlicensed dog
1
Driving a Motor Vehicle while intoxicated
23
Drunkenness
84
4
Motor Vehicle laws violating
47
2
Lewdness
2
Neglect or desertion of family, non-support 7
Tramps, Vagrants 1
Warrants served for out of town Police
4
Insane committed to institution
6
2
Total arrests
206
Summons served for out of town police on Andover Citizens 46 Convicted in District Court 202
Dismissed in District Court
4
Fines paid in District Court
$2,105.00
Sentenced to House of Correction
23
Shirley School
2
Suspended to Shirley
1
Grand Jury
5
Superior Court
6
Stolen property reported valued at $1969
Stolen property recovered $996
POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
1 1940 Plymouth Sedan
1 1942 Plymouth Sedan
Two-Way Police Radio Transmitter
3 Receiving sets in cars
1 Receiving set in Shawsheen Booth
1 regular station radio, for alert messages -war defense
2 Bullet Proof Vests
160
1 Camera
2 Gas Guns
2 Gas Clubs
26 Gas Grenades
16 Revolvers
2 22 Cal. Target Pistols
2 Riot Guns
150 Riot Clubs
100 Steel Helmets
3 Harley Davidson Motorcycles
SAFETY SIGNS INSTALLED ON THE FOLLOWING STREETS
2 Chestnut and Main Street
2 Chandler Road
1 North Street
7 signs having been repaired and reset on streets where damaged.
Trip Treadle on south side of Chestnut Street Traffic Lights rebuilt and reset
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE, Chief
161
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
To the Board of Health and Townspeople of Andover:
I herwith submit my report as Board of Health Nurse and Agent for the Town of Andover for the year just ended. This report will be brief, but with the idea of covering the important aspects of health for the year just passed.
1942
1941
1940
· Septic Sore Throat
0
3
1
Dog Bite
48
28
50
Tuberculosis
5
4
7
Scarlet Fever
14
12
9
Chicken Pox
16
104
15
Whooping Cough
19
54
71
Diphtheria
0
0
1
Measles
82
74
52
Mumps
113
21
51
Anterio Poliomyelitis
0
1
0
Gonorrhea
3
2
2
Syphilis
1
1
10
German Measles
26
62
2
Lobar Pneumonia
3
3
3
Dysentery Bacillary
0
0
1
Para Typhoid
1
0
0
Total
331
369
275
DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1942
1941
1940
Lobar Pneumonia
3
2
2
Tuberculosis
2
2
2
Total
5
4
4
May I repeat, this is a war period-a period of emergency. It is insistent with good citizenship and patriotism to maintain a healthy town.
162
Anything tending toward an epidemic of any description should be carefully guarded against and your Board of Health will do all in its power to guard against any spread of disease. We respectfully seek the cooperation of citizens of Andover.
As the rationing of foods progresses and many kinds of food are almost unobtainable, the housewife will have to be more careful in the planning and preparing of her meals. The adult can realize the inevitability of the change in his diet and will adjust himself accordingly. The school child being active and with the proper amount of exercise, fresh air and sleep will not be as great a problem as one would think.
My advice to the mother with a baby is to keep an account of his weight, height, and proper development according to his age. If they become below normal, she should consult her family physician.
May I remind you of the free clinics held in Andover each year. In the spring, there is the Dog Clinic where you can have your dog inoculated against Rabies, which is not only a protection to your dog, but also to the general public from the dread disease of Rabies.
Shortly after school opens, a Toxoid Clinic is started to inocu- late children to prevent them from contracting diphtheria. It is advised to have a child inoculated any time after he is six months old. The Baby Clinic is held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Andover Guild from three to five o'clock in the afternoon. During the summer months a vaccination clinic for Small Pox is held for children entering school and wherein any one who cannot afford to pay their physician will be vaccin- ated free of charge. These clinics have been well attended and have proven to be of great aid to the townspeople.
Generally at the beginning of the year, the Chadwick Clinic is held. The purpose of this clinic is to check the spread of Tubercu- losis. Parents have been willing to give their consent to the exam- ination and X-ray which is necessary as part of the program of this clinic.
Many boys of Andover have entered the armed forces and may I state with gratitude that thus far not one boy has been returned to Andover after receiving his physical examination with any signs of tuberculosis in any form.
This year, as in the past years, many complaints have been
163
received about the practice of dumping garbage and refuse upon the side of our highways and vacant lots. This practice is a men- ace to the health of the community and is unsightly. These of- fenses are punishable by law.
In closing, all contagious diseases must be reported to your Board of Health, especially is this true where there is no physician in attendance. Parents or guardians have a duty imposed by law to observe this important law.
Respectfully submitted,
LOTTA M. JOHNSON, R.N.
164
Milk Inspector's Report
TO THE ANDOVER BOARD OF HEALTH :
As Inspector of Milk I hereby submit my report for the year 1942.
After inspection of premises and dairy plants the following licenses were granted :
Milk and Cream (all classes) 55
Oleomargarine Registrations 7
Pasteurization Establishments 7
Ice Cream Licenses-retail 1
There were 92 samples of milk and 20 samples of cream taken from various sources and tested for butterfat. Four of milk and three of cream were found below requirements, but on second samples taken within five days were up to standard.
Forty phosphase tests were made on suspicious samples and 10 were found positive, later checks showed negative results.
170 bottles and 21 cans were condemned and destroyed as unfit for use.
18 Ice cream mix and 10 ice cream samples were tested and one sample of mix was found below standard.
In addition to premises granted licenses to sell milk and cream, there were 114 pasteurization plants and 83 farm plants inspected at unexpected intervals and many conditions were found on different inspections which required correction.
Three ice cream cabinets were condemned as unfit for use.
To assist farmer producers and other plants many letters of necessity were issued in order that replacements and parts es- sential to conduct of business could be obtained on priority.
Quarters now used by the inspector of milk are far from being satisfactory and no credit to a town of this size. No other town has any such quarters and doubt if any other town this size or smaller ever will have. It is recommended that a room be furnished for the exclusive use by the inspector of milk and that present quarters originally used by inspector of milk and later shared with so called surplus commodity division be restored in order that more space may be available instead of less as now is the case. No other town has such an arrangement and since offices have been found for many new organizations there is no reason
165
for public health to be neglected as in this case. It is to be hoped that action will be taken as soon as possible.
Many complaints were received regarding flavor of milk, while it was unpleasant to taste it was in no way harmful to public health, and was caused by changing feed of milk producing cows. There were complaints about milk from one producer which was entirely justified and caused by producer and distributor failing to obey rules and regulations; if it should reoccur it will warrant prosecution.
There were many changes during the year 1942; many dis- tributors went out of business, plants closed for duration, and worst of all cuts on many farms in number of milk producing cows. Plants closed due to inability to obtain deliveries of milk and cream due to rationing of tires and gasoline, and shortage of labor, distributors went. out of business because of high wages offered in defence plants, and cows were cut because producer was unable to obtain help and many preferred the shorter hours and high wages of defence plants to long hours and hard work on farms. Butterfat content of milk has dropped and this in no way will affect quality of milk since lowering butterfat will give a higher mineral value to milk.
Oleomargarine has come into use again, and citizens are warned to purchase oleomargarine only from firms and establishments who have registered with inspector of milk in order that one may get the best. All distributors not registered as required by law will be prosecuted to full extent of the law, and any person having in their possession any oleomargarine and other butter substi- tutes for sale will have licenses revoked, if products do not con- form to requirements of both state and federal laws.
All licenses for milk and cream expire on June 1st, 1943 and must be renewed on or before that date. All oleomargarine licenses or registrations expire May 31st and must be renewed on or before that date.
May I, in conclusion, extend my sincere thanks to all for their splendid cooperation during the past year and congratulate all producers for their splendid work in face of great odds; without this Andover could not have the high quality of dairy products produced on Andover Farms.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED C. STACEY,
Inspector of Milk
166
Report of Town Physician
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of cases seen and treated by the undersigned, in the capacity of Town Physician, for the year ending December thirty-first, nineteen hundred forty-two.
House calls
302
Office calls 210
Maternity
()
Investigations
2
Respectfully yours,
JOHN J. HARTIGAN
107
Report of Building Inspector
December 31, 1942
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector from Janu- ary 1, 1942 to December 31, 1942:
Dwellings (new)
6
Additions and Alterations
32
Poultry Houses
11
Garages
8
Hog Pen
1
Green House
1
Tool Shed
1
Storage Shed
1
61
Dormitories in town containing eight or more rooms above the second floor were inspected to see that they complied with the law relative to safety appliances and a report of each inspection was sent to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
The estimated cost of new construction in the Town during the past year is $29,335.00 and additions and alterations, $19,104.00.
Fees for building permits amounting to fifty dollars and fifty cents were collected by me and turned over to the Town Treas- urer.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. DRISCOLL, Building Inspector
168
Report of Tree Warden
January 1, 1943
To the Citizens of Andover :-
The Andover Village Improvement Society furnished the town with 38 young street trees which were set out by the tree warden as well as 38 purchased from department funds.
Very much needed pruning and repair work was carried out during 1942. Low branches were removed on several streets it being the desire of the war department to have greater road clearance on secondary roads. It was necessary to spend a great deal of time clearing brush from the travelled way on many roads. Brush grew unusually fast due to frequent rains and warm periods.
In 1939 the Legislature made it possible for towns to elect tree wardens for a three-year term. This is in line with election of other town officers and many towns have already voted for three year terms. A three-year term would be to the advantage of the town as it would tend to hold experienced men in office and in- duce qualified men to run for office.
A tree warden derives all his powers from the Legislature and is its agent in carrying them out in the town where he is elected.
We often consider the trees we plant and trees that grow nat- urally on a public way or on the boundaries thereof as belonging to the town, a supreme court decision holds them also to be public shade trees for the benefit and enjoyment of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth. However these trees are of great value to a town in attractiveness, in shading and cooling our streets and homes in summer and as a business asset by inducing new citizens to build their homes here.
We need to be on our guard against injuries, insects and diseases at all times. Five elm trees infected with Dutch elm disease were found in western Massachusetts. Search will go on next summer for any other infected trees but lack of experienced men makes control difficult.
Under present conditions I advise an appropriation of $5,000.00 for tree work in 1943.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Tree Warden
169
Report of Moth Superintendent
January 1, 1943
Board of Selectmen, Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :---
In a review of the insect pests of 1942, Tent Caterpillars in- creased very noticeably and caused considerable damage. These insects developed in size very rapidly during a period of very warm weather in late April. About 500 Brown Tail nests were found and destroyed last March. Young Gypsy Moth caterpillars were very numerous but due to unfavorable weather, parasites, disease and control methods they caused less damage to foliage than any year since 1938. Elm Leaf beetles and Larch Case Bearers were well controlled. Aphids, leafhoppers and other suck- ing insects were very numerous during the summer. The so-called honey dew juices thrown off by these insects onto the foliage was attacked by a sooty fungus leaving a black deposit on the foliage and twigs. Chinch bugs increased rapidly in some places to cause injury to lawns. Fall webworms were more numerous in August and September.
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