USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1940-1944 > Part 38
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The board has held over two hundred and forty meetings. One of our members, Hugh Bullock, has recently been pro- moted to serve upon the appeal board for this district, and may we take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to him for over three years of faithful and efficient service, so freely and generously given.
The splendid cooperation and help given by the citizens of all three of the towns has been of great assistance. Our young men have answered the call with a willingness and with a spirit of which we may be proud. Wherever they may be, they have the best wishes of Andover, North Andover, and Box- ford.
The Town of Andover has continued to furnish and care for our comfortable and commodious quarters, for which 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
119
Report of Rationing Board
Local Board 48, Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, Mass., January 31, 1944
To the Board of Selectmen Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN :
I am pleased to submit my second annual report as Chair- man of the Andover Rationing Board, Number 137.48.
During the past year many and varied have been the rationing problems which have confronted the Board mem- bers. These problems, some of which could be handled in a routine sort of way and others which required considerable time, thought, research and investigation for their solution, were considered and acted upon by the members in their "panel meetings."
These "panel meetings" have been held and will continue to be held at the Rationing Board Office on the days and hours specified below :
Panel A: (Tires, Bicycles, Stoves, Typewriters, Shoes, and Rubber Boots) every Monday and Thursday from 1 P. M. to 2 P. M.
Panel B: (Food Products) Every Friday at 4 P. M.
Panel C: (Gasoline and Fuel Oil) Every Monday and Thursday from 1 P. M. to 2 P. M.
Panel D: (Price Control) Every Tuesday evening at 7:30 P. M.
In October Panel E was organized. This panel has very appropriately been named the Community Service Panel. It is the duty of the various members to assist the store-keepers by seeing that ceiling prices are posted; by checking prices etc.
Under the direction of Mr. Edward I. Erickson, Superin- tendent of Schools, two registrations were carried on very efficiently in the public schools. The registration for War
120
Ration Book Two was conducted for one week during the month of February; a week was set aside in the month of October for the distribution of War Ration Book Four.
Throughout the year and especially at the time of the renewal of the gasoline coupons, several patriotic volunteers assisted the clerks in the office. This kind and thoughtful gesture was deeply appreciated by Board members and clerks alike.
At this time, I would like to express the sincere gratitude of the Rationing Board members to all the townspeople for their encouragement and assistance in carrying on the pro- gram which was adopted in January 1942 as a result of shortages of commodities --- namely, the "rationing program."
Respectfully submitted,
FOSTER C. BARNARD, Chairman Andover Rationing Board No. 48
121
Board of Retirement Report
To the Board of Selectmen Andover, Mass.
6
GENTLEMEN :
The Town of Andover Board of Retirement herewith sub- mits the following report for the year 1943:
Balance, Jan. 1, 1943: $7951.30
Receipts, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1943:
Deductions, Group I $5677.18
Deductions, Group II 2034.24
$7711.42
Gt. North. R.R.'s Called
1545.00
Interest on Bonds
2600.35
Interest, Savings Banks 103.46
2703.81
Appropriation:
Accumulation Fund 13992.00
Expense Fund
800.00
14792.00
26752.23
$34703.53
Expenditures :
Pensions Paid:
Group I
$6628.66
Group II 3391.32
$10019.98 15079.69
57.69
Investments Accrued Interest on Investments Office Expenses : Mary A. Loosigian, clerk, salary 617.40
122
Office Supplies, Sta- tionery and Postage 96.98
Refunds, Group I
714.38 1499.24
27370.98
Balance, December 31, 1943
$ 7332.55
A schedule of membership for the year 1943 follows:
January 1, 1943: Active Members 102
Enrolled during 1943
7
109
Retirements during 1943
2
Withdrawn, 1943
9
11
Total Active Members, Dec. 31, 1943
98
January 1, 1943: Pensioners 14
Retirements during 1943
2
Total Pensioners, Dec. 31, 1943
16
Total Membership, December 31, 1943,
including Pensioners 114
During the year $15,000.00 worth of U. S. Government Bonds were purchased.
The securities held at the close of the year 1943 cost $82685.86 and had an amortized value of $83318.77. The market value of the securities was in excess of both cost and amortized values.
123
The actual earnings of the investments this year were $2703.81, while the amount necessary for crediting the funds with the guaranteed rate of three per cent was $2389.20- hence, the amount earned exceeded the amount required by $314.61.
$17,636.67 is the amount required to be added to the fund by town appropriation for 1944.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY C. REGAN, Chairman GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Secretary EDMOND E. HAMMOND Board of Retirement
124
Board of Public Welfare
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1943:
The case load of Old Age Assistance has dropped from 172 in December, 1942, to 150 in December, 1943, but the average cost per case monthly, has risen from $31.50 to $36.15 during the same period. This was due to new laws passed by the last session of the legislature, which greatly increased the benefits to persons eligible for Old Age Assist- ance. All cases must now be figured on a budgetary basis. This budget is set up by the State Department of Public Welfare, and unless each city and town in the commonwealth complies, Federal funds are withheld. Definite rules and regulations have been passed regarding the liability of chil- dren, and if they do not cooperate, the local board must sum- mon them into court.
In Aid to Dependent Children, the case load has not changed much during the year, but the cost per case has gone up with the increased cost of living. At the start of 1943, there were 10 families with 28 children being aided, while at the close of the year, we were giving aid to 9 families with 24 children.
General relief was much lower this year, and practically all cases aided were unemployable, consisting of children boarded out and invalids unable to qualify for other assistance.
At the end of February, Federal Surplus Commodities were discontinued, as there was not sufficient need for them.
There was a further reduction in Soldiers' Relief during 1943, when we aided 12 cases with 32 individuals, for a total cost of $1709.08. Under soldiers' benefits, we cared for a number of families temporarily through War Allowances, a form of aid set up by the state to aid families of men in ser- vice, pending receipt of the Federal allotment. The Red Cross and the Andover Servicemen's Fund did considerable and valuable work in aiding families of veterans.
125
At this time, we wish to thank all organizations and all private citizens, who have cooperated with our board, espe- cially in caring for the families of men in service.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. HARDY, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS EDWARD P. HALL Board of Selectmen
ARTHUR W. COLE, Welfare Agent
126
Town Infirmary
The Town Infirmary has carried on the usual work of pro- viding a good home for eighteen townspeople during 1943, with nursing care for those needing it.
Three of these were under five years of age, a particularly sad case. We received immediate and splendid help from the local Red Cross Chapter in clothing these children.
We had a fine Christmas party, each member of the Home being well remembered with gifts, fruit and ice cream, do- nated by two of our townspeople and four organizations.
The Convalescent Home should be much larger than it is to meet the constant demand for rooms.
We have turned over to the town twenty-nine hundred and sixty-six ($2,966.00) dollars from the Convalescent Home and paying patients in the Infirmary.
Number of inmates January 1, 1943
11
Number admitted during the year
7
Number discharged during the year 7
Number of deaths 1
Number between one and ten years of age
3
Number between ten and twenty years of age
0
Number between twenty and thirty years of age 0
Number between thirty and forty years of age
1
Number between forty and fifty years of age
2
Number between fifty and sixty years of age
1
Number between sixty and seventy years of age
4
Number between seventy and eighty years of age 4
Number between eighty and ninety years of age
2
Number between ninety and one hundred years of age 1
Number of inmates January 1, 1944 10
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA W. THORNTON, Matron
127
Fire Department
To the Board of Selectmen Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN:
I have the honor to submit my third annual report as Chief of the Andover Fire Department.
During the year 1943 the department answered the follow- ing alarms: 163 bell (4 false) ; 217 still; total 380-an in- crease of 169 calls over 1942.
The total valuation of buildings where fires occurred was $186,275.
Losses incurred totaled-$11,473.51.
Hose was laid as follows: 15,700 feet of 212" hose, 19,000 feet of 11/2" hose, 18,900 feet of 1" or forestry hose, 39,100 feet of 3/4" or booster hose; total hose laid: 92,700 feet; total ladders raised: 740 feet.
Ambulance calls for the year totaled 528, of which num- ber 54 were handled by the Chief's car. Each such call neces- sitated the absence from the station of one of the three drivers on duty. On emergency calls frequently two firemen accom- panied the ambulance. At such times only an officer and one man remained at the station.
The Central Station has been improved by the painting of the apparatus floor, the Ballardvale Station by. the painting of the second floor walls and ceilings.
On January 1, 1943 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 Chief's car-Ford sedan 1941
2 500 gallon trailer pumps, Aux. Fire Department !
1942
128
Hose on hand includes: 8000 feet of 212", 4500 feet of 11/2", 3400 feet of 1", 1400 feet of 3/4".
The 30 year old piece in Ballardvale should be replaced at the earliest moment possible.
Ten duration appointments to the call force have been made this year, but owing to the losses sustained the balance is only one man better than a year ago. Henry Platt, Patrick Murnane, and James Oldroyd retired after more than thirty years of faithful service. Harry Hayward died in the per- formance of his duty as a call man. Others were lost to the department by enlistment in the armed forces.
During the year we lost one permanent man to the armed forces, when John Cole enlisted in the Navy C. B.'s. Wilson Crawford, a veteran of World War II, was appointed to fill this place for the duration.
As reported last year, the department is dangerously low in manpower. The need for more permanent men is urgent, as evidenced at the Burns Co. fire. It is hoped that additional appointments will be authorized in the near future; mean- while, the department will continue to give its best efforts to fire protection.
Respectfully sumbitted,
C. EDWARD BUCHAN Chief, Andover Fire Department
129
Police Department
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1943.
Miscellaneous complaints received and investigated 338
Ambulance calls covered by Police 14
Summons served for out of town Police 47
Automobiles stolen in Andover
7
Automobiles recovered in Andover
4
Automobiles recovered out of town
3
Bicycles stolen in Andover
6
Bicycles recovered in Andover
5
Breaks in camps and dwellings
24
Doors found open and secured
110
Lost children returned to parents
4
Dogs killed by automobiles
15
Live wires down and guarded by Police
2
Street lights out reported to L. G. & E. Co.
306
Fires covered by Police
23
Dogs lost and returned to owners
27
Persons notified for out of town Police
42
Suicides reported and investigated by Police
2
Cattle lost and returned to owners
28
Dead bodies cared for by Police
3
Lights put in dangerous places
2
False alarms of fire
2
Tramps put up for the night
10
Runaway children returned to parents
4
Dwelling houses inspected while owners away
28
Persons bitten by dogs
48
Animal inspector and Board of Health notified regarding dog bites 45
Articles found and returned to owners
29
Arrests and Charges
Males
Assault
3
Threats and intimidation
1
130
Breaking and entering and larceny Larceny of automobiles Malicious mischief
2
Receiving stolen goods
Stealing a ride
1
Deserter from U. S. Service
2
Driving motor vehicle to endanger life
3
Driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated
16
Drunkenness
50
Fish and Game Laws violation
1
Illegal storage of gasoline
1
Soliciting for prostitute
1
Arrests made on default warrants
3
Traffic rules violating
20
Lewdness
1
Lottery Laws violation
6
Neglect of family
3
False alarm of fire
1
Delinquency
2
Total number of Arrests for 1943
126
Convicted in District Court
123
Superior Court
3
Fines paid in District Court
$2,542.00
Fines paid in Superior Court
$ 75.00
Sentenced to State Prison
1
Probation Superior Court
1
Superior Court House Correction
1
Held for Grand Jury
2
Appeals to Superior Court
2
POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
1 1942 Plymouth Sedan
1 1940 Plymouth Sedan Two-way Police Radio Transmitter
3 Receiving sets in cars
1 regular Radio 50 Watt Station
1 regular station radio, for alert messages, war defense
131
4 4 1
1 One way Radio set in Shawsheen connected with head- quarters station
2 Bullet Proof Vests
1 Camera
2 Gas Guns
2 Gas Clubs
28 Gas Grenades
16 Revolvers
2 22 Cal. Target Pistols
2 Riot Guns
150 Riot Clubs
100 Steel Helmets
3 Harley Davidson Motorcycles
5 Safety signs installed and 3 repainted. Also 25 No Park- ing signs constructed. Stop signs installed on the West and East side of Chestnut Street for the duration.
The Police Department has been working under a handicap owing to the War, and four of its members being in the armed service. But the regular officers have worked extra hours to keep up the efficency of the Department and so far, we have been doing very well under the circumstances. If the war continues, and more officers are taken from the Department, it will be serious, because it is impossible to get men with any Police experience to fill the vacancies.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE,
Chief of Police
132
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
To the Board of Health and Townspeople of Andover:
I herewith submit my report as Board of Health Nurse and Agent for the Town of Andover for the year just ended. This is brief, but with the idea of covering the important aspects of health for the year just passed.
1943
1942
1941
Septic Sore Throat
0
0
3
Dog Bite
46
48
28
Tuberculosis
8
5
4
Scarlet Fever
10
14
12
Chicken Pox
30
16
104
Whooping Cough
34
19
54
Diphtheria
0
0
0
Measles
78
82
74
Mumps.
46
113
21
Anterio Poliomyelitis
0
0
1
Gonorrhea
1
3
2
Syphilis
3
1
1
German Measles
149
26
62
Lobar Pneumonia
1
3
3
Para Typhoid
1
1
0
Dysentery Bacillary
0
0
0
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis
1
0
0
Total
408
331
369
DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1943
1942
1941
Lobar Pneumonia
1
3
2
Tuberculosis
2
2
2
Total
3
5
4
It is an important part of good citizenship and patriotism to maintain a healthy town. To accomplish this the Board
133
of Health earnestly solicit the co-operation of every citizen of Andover, that together we may guard against epidemics and the spread of disease.
Influenza is one of the diseases that makes its appearance in epidemic form in about twenty-five years. Some health authorities are reporting epidemics of influenza in the U. S. A. this year. It would appear from some of the reports this disease is milder than that of the epidemic of 1918.
If you have influenza, to avoid being re-infected you should lie in bed until your temperature becomes normal. Do not go out of doors until at least forty-eight hours after its occurrence. By so doing you will also help to avoid its spread. It is also wise to remember that re-infection or re- lapse of any disease often is fatal. At this particular period one should stay away from crowded places unless absolutely necessary.
Some communicable diseases have increased in number this year. German Measles, although a mild contagious disease, has a tendency to affect some children severely. I stress the fact to the mothers, that no matter how mild may be any disease their duty is to see that their child receives good nursing care and medical advice. Just now while writing this report many persons in Andover have a bad cough. I suggest to such, that if the cough persists more than two weeks, they should consult their family physician. Coughs are one of the many ailments that lower one's resistance to other diseases, and are extremely bad for those patients who suffer from heart disease, hernia or diabetes.
Some authorities contend that Infantile Paralysis is a disease that runs in cycles. This past year is its maximum period. Andover has much to be grateful for in that no cases have been reported to the Board of Health this year.
One case of Para Typhoid was reported to the Board of Health this year. In the past Andover has been very free from this disease.
No cases of Rabies were reported to the Board of Health this year. It behooves every owner of a dog to take him to the Free Clinic held each year. Such action protects the owner and the public. It likewise would guard the dog against this dread disease.
134
All forms of meningitis are reportable to the Board of Health. In the past the Epidemic Meningitis type was the only lawful form reportable to the Board of Health.
The Baby Clinic has been well attended and much appre- ciated by the mothers for its excellent results. This clinic is held at the Andover Guild every first and third Tuesday of the month from 3 P. M. to 5 P. M. In the summer two vac- cination clinics are held in conjunction with the Baby Clinic. Visiting mothers were referred to this clinic. To them was extended the same courtesy as is extended to absent mothers.
The Andover Board of Health takes this opportunity to thank the Lawrence General Hospital and the Children's Hospital for their kind co-operation in all cases referred to them by this clinic.
All contagious diseases must be reported to your local Board of Health, especially if no family physician is in attendance. This law imposes a duty upon both parents and guardians.
Another law carrying severe penalty for violation forbids any person dumping garbage or rubbish in vacant lots or on the highways.
Respectfully submitted,
LOTTA JOHNSON, R. N.
135
Milk Inspector's Report
To the Andover Board of Health:
As Inspector of Milk I hereby submit my report for the year 1943.
After inspection of premises and dairy plants as required by law the following licenses were granted:
Milk and Cream (all classes) 34
Oleomargarine registrations 8
Pasteurization Establishments 6
Ice Cream manufacturer 4
There were 91 samples of milk and 18 samples of cream taken from various sources and tested for butterfat. Twelve milk and two cream were found below the standard but on second samples taken within five days passed minimum re- quirements.
Thirty phosphase tests were performed on suspicious sam- ples, nine were positive and were all negative on second test taken several days later.
Ninety bottles and twenty cans were condemned as unfit for further use.
Twenty samples of ice cream mix were tested for butterfat and fifteen were found to be below federal requirements. Testing ten samples of ice cream showed five to be below in butterfat.
In addition to premises granted licenses to sell milk and other, licenses which were granted there were 118 pasteuriza- tion plant, 94 farm inspections and 85 additional inspections of premises granted licenses to sell milk made at unexpected intervals and on many occasions conditions were found re- quiring correction. Suspicions of violations were found on many checks of premises and after being warned they were not repeated.
Sixty-two complaints made by consumers were investigated and all were justified. Majority of complaints were due to carelessness on part of producer and distributor.
There were seventy butterfat tests made for local farmers
136
who feared that milk was going below the standard because of the shortage of feed. In some cases there was ample mar- gin of safety; in others, they were just on the line, but in no case was there a sample below the standard. No country ever owes a greater debt of gratitude to those producers on farms in Andover for long hours each day, seven days per week to hold all milk producing cows they could in face of one of the gravest labor situations that ever existed. Let's all hope that with the return of peace they can enjoy some recreation privileges and days off like those who work in industry, banks and other occupations.
During the past year I was glad to give the use of the Inspector's room and part of its equipment to Andover physi- cians, for use in examination of those in the selective service system. It is to be hoped that sometime we will have full lab- oratory equipments for performance of all tests required by public health.
It is recommended that a new linoleum be installed on the floor in the inspector's room and that a new desk equipped with a file drawer be purchased in order that all records may be transferred and kept in order in one place. When this has been done, Andover will have a fine office used by the Inspec- tor of Milk. This expense is small compared to improvements obtained.
There is at present in some localities a serious shortage of milk bottles and I request that all milk bottles be returned as soon as possible, also that care be taken to see that they are not broken and not used for any other purpose except milk. Your distributors will appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
The year 1944 promises at the present time to see an in- crease in number of pasteurization plants in town; if it does take place Andover will have more pasteurization plants than any other town of its size and more than in many average- sized cities of greater population.
There has been considerable talk regarding rationing of milk which it is to be hoped will never take place and that each consumer will find his bottle of milk in its usual place at its regular time. Milk is one food which has not yet failed to be in its usual place at regular times in this town; this
137
alone is a credit to all producers wherever they live. If milk should be rationed to civilians it must be remembered that babies, and the ill must come first at all times and Andover citizens will do their part to see that they get it as they have in all other events related to this world wide conflict.
In conclusion I wish to express my thanks to all who have cooperated with me during this past year in setting a high standard of quality in face of great odds and commend all Andover producers for the fine work they have done.
Again may attention be called to all milk and cream licen- ses expiring on June 1st, 1944, and also to oleomargarine registrations which by law must be renewed during the month of May.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED C. STACEY, Inspector of Milk
1
138
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-three.
House calls
275
Office calls
371
Maternity
0
Investigations
0
Respectfully yours,
JOHN J. HARTIGAN, M. D.
139
Report of Building Inspector
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN:
I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector from January 1, 1943 to December 31, 1943:
Dwellings (new)
1
Additions and Alterations
23
Garages (private)
6
Poultry Houses
23
Barns
3
Camps
2
Storage Sheds
3
Garage and Repair Shop
1
Vegetable Storage Cellar
1
63
Elevator Licenses (new) 66 66 (renewal)
5
11
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 sent to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
The estimated cost of new construction in the town during the past year is $20,205.00 and additions and alterations $6,365.00.
6
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. DRISCOLL, Building Inspector
140
Report of Tree Warden
January 1, 1944
To the Citizens of Andover:
The general laws of Massachusetts provide that every town at its annual meeting shall in every year when the term of office expires, choose by ballot from its inhabitants a tree warden for a term of one year or three years. The town meet- ing in March 1943 voted to change the term of tree warden from one year to three years. By this action the first three year term will begin after the election in March 1944.
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