USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1945-1949 > Part 15
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Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY P. WHITE, Chairman WALTER C. TOMLINSON, Secretary LEON A. FIELD FREDERICK E. CHEEVER KIRK R. BATCHELLER
Clerk: EDWARD R. LAWSON
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Board of Appeals Report
To the Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals under the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Andover has the following members: James S. Eastham, Chairman, term expiring May 1, 1949; Roy E. Hardy, Secretary, term expiring May 1, 1947; Edward P. Hall, term expiring May 1, 1948; and two associate members, Leon A. Field and Walter C. Tomlinson, terms expiring May 1, 1947.
During the year 1946, the eleventh year of the Zoning Law, the Board heard and decided thirteen cases, denying one and granting twelve.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. EASTHAM, Chairman ROY E. HARDY, Secretary EDWARD P. HALL
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Water and Sewerage Investigation REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
January 18, 1947
THE WATER SYSTEM
The extension of large water mains was continued in 1946. Starting at Cutler Road with the 16" pipe laid in 1945, a 16" main was laid through Reservation, Central and Phillips Streets to Main St., 2.3 miles, where connection was made to the 12" pipe from the Low Service Reservoir. The 16" main was also carried through Central St. to Main St. at the Square, a distance of a little over a half mile. Further a 12" pipe was laid from the Square through Elm St. to Walnut Ave., about 2900 ft. The cost of this work will be about $135,000.00.
With the work done in 1945 and 1946 the Town now has a new 16" cast iron, cement lined main from the Haggetts Pond Pump- ing Station to the 12" pipe in Main St. direct from the Reservoir, a total distance of nearly four miles. The distance from the Pumping Station to the Square at Main St. is about the same. This much more free outlet for the pumps will enable them to - deliver without overloading up to 40% more water than formerly and with some saving in the cost of pumping due to the lower pressure pumped against.
The capacity of our Water Works has, therefore, been much increased and will take care of the needs of the Town for a con- siderable time if there is no abnormal growth. With a new suction pipe for the pumps they can in an emergency be operated to- gether for a limited time and furnish double the quantity formerly available. A further gain is the much larger quantity of water which can be delivered in the center of the Town from the Reservoir through the new 16" mains in Phillips and Central Streets. This is a valuable safeguard in case of a temporary inter- ruption of pumping.
The new 12" Elm St. pipe reinforces the supply in this section of the Town. The 12" main laid in Haggetts Pond Road in 1945 supplies much additional water for the northwest areas. Alto- gether the work done in the past two years much strengthens the
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whole water plant and takes care of the most urgent needs. The total cost of this work was about $260,000.00. There is other work which will be needed in the coming years and a considerable part of it will be desirable within five years. The growth of the Town and the condition of business and industry will determine the urgency. The Report of the Committee of February, 1945, and the detailed study of Weston and Sampson furnish a compre- prehensive plan in general conformity with which all future work should be done.
THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM
In 1945, two improvements in the sewerage system were com- pleted, one providing a system for Shawsheen Heights, and the other providing facilities for Elm and Pine Streets, at a cost of nearly $30,000. At the Annual Meeting in 1946, the Town voted to continue work on the sewerage system, but since no provision was made for raising part of the money from current taxes, the vote was illegal and no work could be done.
It is again recommended that sewerage facilities be provided by extensions in the remainder of the Shawsheen area, and in Elm and Pine Streets, and that the Fletcher, Shepley and Binney Street sewers be connected to the main system, instead of being discharged into the Shawsheen River. The estimated cost is $45,000.00, considerably more than was provided last year. But if this work is done, all of the immediate requirements on the Sewerage System will have been cared for, and the further extensions outlined in our 1945 report can be deferred for several years.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD V. FRENCH SIDNEY P. WHITE JOSEPH A. MCCARTHY Committee
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Report of the Committee on the 300th Anniversary
At the annual Town Meeting of 1946, the citizens made an appropriation of $5,000.00 to be expended under the direction of the Committee of Fifteen "for the proper observance of the 300th anniversary of the incorporation of the town." The observance has been held, and the Committee makes the following report :
The first meeting of the Committee was held in March, on the day after the appropriation was made, and others followed at intervals of two weeks. Preliminary plans, necessarily somewhat hurried, were quickly made on as broad a scale as the appropria- tion permitted. The program follows:
THURSDAY, MAY 30
10:00 A.M. Memorial Service for veterans of all wars in Memorial Auditorium. Address by Philip K. Allen.
1:30 P.M. Historical Parade. Baseball Game at Playstead following the Parade. Punchard vs. Johnson.
10:00 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. Industrial Exhibit at Memorial Gymnasium.
FRIDAY, MAY 31
2:00 P.M. Historical Pageant at Playstead with all schools and academies participating.
10:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Industrial Exhibit at Memorial Gymnasium.
8:15 P.M. Tercentenary Concert by Andover Community Orchestra, with Percy Grainger, guest soloist, Memorial Auditorium. Golf Tourn- ament at Andover Country Club.
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
9:00 A.M. Bicycle Race for riders fourteen years and under. Start at Ballard- vale, finish at Playstead.
9:30 A.M. Bicycle Race for riders fifteen and over. Start at Ballardvale, finish at Playstead.
10:00 A.M. Track Meet at Playstead. Punchard vs. Johnson.
2:00 P.M. Professional Baseball Game at Brothers Field. Lawrence Million- aires vs. Lawrence City League All-Stars.
10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Industrial Exhibit at Memorial Gymnasium.
6:30 P.M. Tercentenary Banquet at Case Memorial Cage, Phillips Academy. Dr. Claude M. Fuess, Presiding.
GUESTS OF HONOR: The Mayor of Andover, England, Councillor G. D. D. Young, and The Mayoress, Mrs. U. Sainsbury.
Historical Address by James Phinney Baxter, 3rd, President of Williams College.
SPEAKERS: James V. Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy Governor Maurice J. Tobin Senator Leverett Saltonstall Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers
Golf Tournament at Andover Country Club.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 2
Historical Sermons at the Morning Services in Andover Churches Golf Tournament at Andover Country Club.
10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Industrial Exhibit at Memorial Gymnasium.
8:30 P.M. Sacred Concert at Cochran Chapel, Phillips Academy. Chorus of 150 voices directed by J. Everett Collins, and All-Boy Chorus directed by Miss Miriam Sweeney.
Except on Saturday, our Sports Day, the weather was favor- able. The townspeople, individually and collectively, showed a continued and growing interest in the program, and those who labored long and earnestly in preparing the parade, the pageant, the musical programs, the banquet, and the exhibitions deserve the thanks of their neighbors.
It is impossible to make any comprehensive list of those who contributed to the success of this anniversary celebration. An especially gratifying feature, however, was the attendance of the Mayor and Mayoress of Andover, England, who flew across the Atlantic in order to be present. Their interest, enthusiasm, good nature, and pleasing personalities will long be remembered. We wish to thank every individual who assisted in making our 300th anniversary one worthy of our historic town.
It is perhaps worthy of comment that the Committee, with characteristic New England economy, did not spend all the appropriation and that $375.00 will accordingly be returned to the town treasury.
We expect that a complete pictured story of the anniversary celebration will be available before this Report is printed. Our work as a group is complete, and we thank our fellow citizens for the support which they have given us.
THE ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE OF FIFTEEN
DR. CLAUDE M. FUESS, Chairman ROY E. HARDY, Secretary
J. Everett Collins Edward P. Hall Howell F. Shepard H. Bradford Lewis William A. Trow
Frederick E. Cheever
Thaxter Eaton *Resigned.
Henry G. Tyer Burton S. Flagg Bernard L. McDonald Leo F. Daley
*Mary Byers Smith Irving Southworth Bessie P. Goldsmith
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-
Report of Recreation Committee
The newly appointed Committee on Recreation for the town of Andover submits its report for the year of 1946:
The Summer Playground activities, under the supervision of Benjamin Dimlich and assisted by nine full time trained leaders, working on our five playgrounds, from 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M., plus an evening program at Central, had a successful season, as evident by the following registration and attendance:
Attendance
Playground
Morning Afternoon Evening
Total
Registra- tion
Ballardvale
6120
6850
12,970
352
Central
2254
5812
3000
11,066
687
Indian Ridge
2096
2475
4,571
112
Shawsheen
1460
3382
4,842
247
West Center
1110
.
2312
3,422
54
Total
36,871
1,452
The usual games, tournaments and contests were held this year in addition to weekly dances. These dances proved so successful that there were continued until November 1st, by the committee, and they are now sponsored by the Andover Guild. The average attendance to these dances was 225. A fifth playground was opened and staffed, at no additional cost, in West Andover, on the school grounds. This proved highly successful and beneficial to the youth in that district.
The recreation program in Andover heretofore has operated during summer months only, but in the past two years has de- veloped into a year round program. Skating areas have been built and boards installed at Central and Ballardvale. They were flooded and kept clear of snow and offered many days of good skating. Hussey's Pond provided a longer skating season and for the first time was under supervision. Realizing the danger, safety precautions were taken. A Life Preserver with 75 feet of rope was installed and a long ladder was kept at the pond all winter.
Coasting was undertaken by your committee and five streets in various parts of the town were blocked off, thanks to the
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police and Board of Public Works. The coasting was supervised during vacation period, providing additional enjoyment, with a great degree of safety.
The town's two swimming beaches, Pomp's and Hussey's had a total attendance óf 16,912 during the season of 1946. Mr. Don- ald D. Dunn was the Head Life Guard, assisted by six capable instructors. Pomp's Pond was open daily from 11.00 A.M. until dark, seven days a week. Swimming classes were conducted for a period of seven weeks with 121 youngsters registering. 111 of these learned to swim well enough to qualify as a beginner. 35 of the 111 graduated to the raft which means that they can swim with such proficiency that they may swim to the raft un- assisted and back at their leisure. 10 did not learn to swim, but should in another season.
Junior Red Cross classes were conducted twice a week. There were 20 candidates at the beginning. but only six completed their work successfully.
Senior Red Cross classes were also held twice a week. There were 26 who signed up for this class of which 10 completed their work satisfactorily.
At Hussey's a less extensive program was conducted. This pond was open every day, except Sunday, from 11.00 A.M. until 5.00 P.M. One of the guards was in attendance at all times. Safety cribs were built for the smaller children.
The committee would like to thank Cross Coal Co. for trans- portation, Essex Sand & Gravel Co. for sand and Mr. Arthur Bourdelais for the time and labor that he gave at no charge to make Pomp's a better place to swim.
It is the opinion of the committee that considerable improve- ment has been made in the limited recreation facilities of the town with a moderate expenditure. There is room for a vast improvement in our swimming areas as indicated in our Survey report which follows this one.
Respectfully submitted,
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY, Chairman ALAN F. DUNLAP, Secretary EDWARD J. LEFEBVRE FRANK MCBRIDE GEORGE STANLEY, JR.
102
Report of Survey Committee of Andover's Swimming Facilities
To the Selectmen of the Town of Andover GENTLEMEN :
In accordance with Article 36 in the Annual Report of the Town Officers for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1945 of Andover, Massachusetts, the following report is hereby given on the swimming facilities as directed.
After careful and extensive study of the swimming facilities in the Town of Andover, your committee has outlined a program which will give the town satisfactory and economical swimming areas.
Prior to 1924 a group of interested citizens arranged with Mr. Foster to use the swimming beach now known as Pomp's Pond. They cleared the beach area and conducted the activities on a volunteer basis. The project became so popular that. on March 10, 1924 the town appropriated $2,000 and took this project under their management. This money was used chiefly to build the present bath houses, which have served their purpose but have been condemned this past season because the foundations and floors have rotted. Further consideration of the fact that the town has used the land since before 1924 and not until March 1, 1935 did Mr. Foster request that the town pay $100.00 per year for the use of the beach and pond. The town therefore has paid out $1,100.00 for rental.
It was the opinion of the Committee that Pomp's Pond be closed, however, after observing the activities carried on this past season, the condition of the water and the improvements that were made, it is the opinion of this Committee that Pomp's Pond could be developed into an ideal summer recreational area for the town at a most economical cost.
The attendance this past season was 16,912 for both Pomp's and Hussey's Pond, during the 8 weeks that the facilities were open. That in itself proves the popularity of these swimming areas.
The possibility of a Swimming Pool was considered but the cost for the number of people that could be accommodated as well
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as year-round maintenance would be exceptionally high. The estimate on a pool is between $100,000. to $150,000. for construc- tion and about $7,000. per year for maintenance.
Although there are Berry's and Stevens' Ponds at the Parker State Forest area where public swimming is allowed, they are not as accessible as Pomp's and Hussey's, nor is there a program of Red Cross or swimming classes carried on there. In fact there is but one life-guard on duty and he must watch not only our Andover people but any group which uses the State facilities at these two Ponds.
In as much as the town already owns Hussey's and can pur- chase Pomp's for a sum equal to less than the rent which has already been paid for the use of this area, the following recom- mendations are hereby made:
1. That the following long range plan be adopted for the im- provement and development of our present swimming areas.
a. That the parcel of land known as Pomp's Pond be purchased from Mr. Foster by the town at the cost of $1,000.
b. That permanent improvements be made in this area over a period of years to develop the same, not only as a swimming area, but for other recreational activities.
c. That proper bath house and toilet facilities be erected at Hussey's Pond.
d. That this program of improvement be spread over a period of 10 years.
2. The improvement over the period of 10 years would include :
a. Bath houses-Pomp's and Hussey's
b. Toilets-Pomp's and Hussey's
c. Grading-Pomp's and Hussey's
d. Up-keep of beaches
e. Permanent docks
f. Floats
g. Diving platforms
h. Erection of cribs
1 Maintenance of safety equipment :
j. Picnic facilities
k. Purchase of equipment
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1
1. Repair of road
m. Replacement of stairways
In concluding this report it is pointed out that one of the main reasons the committee contemplated closing Pomp's Pond was the present condition of the equipment i.e., bath houses, drinking fountains, stairways, toilets, raft, etc. This equipment will neces- sarily have to be replaced or repaired for use in the future. There- fore, instead of paying for temporary repairs it is the desire of the committee to ask the town to sponsor a long range program which which will be a great deal more economical and will bring health and enjoyment to all who make use of these town-supported facilities.
Respectfully submitted,
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY, Chairman ALAN F. DUNLAP, Secretary EDWARD J. LEFEBVRE FRANK MCBRIDE GEORGE STANLEY, JR.
1
105
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 1946:
Balance, January 1, 1946 $ 3,957.29
Receipts, January 1-December 31, 1946:
Deductions, Group I and II
$13,622.58
Bonds Sold
6,000.00
Interest on Bonds and
Savings Banks 3,412.39
Appropriation
17,591.00
Refunds 36.32
$40,662.29
$44,619.58
Expenditures :
Pensions paid, Group I and II
$14,641.51
Investments
18,028.50
Office Expenses
897.01
Refunds, Deductions and Interest
1,910.27
$35,477.29
Balance, December 31, 1946
$9,142.29
The Total Active Members:
January 1, 1946
94
December 31, 1946
105
January 1, 1946
December 31, 1946
Active Members
94
105
Pensioners
18
25
Total Membership-December 31, 1946
130
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During the year 165 shares of Bank Stocks were purchased. The Securities held at the close of the year cost $129,474. 18. $10,000 is the amount recommended to be added to the fund by town appropriation for 1947.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. NAPIER, Chairman GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Secretary EDMOND E. HAMMOND Board of Retirement
107
Board of Public Welfare
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1946:
The case load for Old Age Assistance has remained approxi- mately the same during 1946. At the beginning of the year, we were aiding 144 cases, and at the end of 1946, we had 146 cases. The average monthly cost per case has increased during the year from $40.90 at the close of 1945 to $45.30 at the close of the year 1946. This mounting cost is due to two increases during the year for the necessities of life, and to legislation effective January 1, 1946, which greatly decreased the liability of children to assist in the support of their parents. During 1946, the Legislature did not pass any bills that seriously affected Old Age Assistance, but a very dangerous referendum appeared on the ballot in No- vember, which came very near becoming a law. This referendum would have put a serious tax burden on the cities and towns of Massachusetts, and in our opinion, would not have helped the deserving cases. The Federal Government has increased its grants to the various cities and towns. Commencing October 1, 1946, it will allow one-half the amount spent on each case, up to $45.00 per month, plus $2.50 per case. Previously, the allowance had been one-half the amount spent, up to $40.00.
Aid to Dependent Children has increased in cost, as prices have risen, but we have decreased our case load during 1946. We started the year with ten cases and twenty-three children, and at the close of the year we were aiding eight cases with twenty children. The Federal Government has increased allowances to the town in this form of aid, also.
General Relief has remained approximately the same, and un- less business is bad, we see no reason for any increase.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank all organizations and private citizens who have assisted our board.
Respectfully submitted, ROY E. HARDY, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS HOWELL F. SHEPARD
Board of Selectmen
ARTHUR W. COLE, Welfare Agent
108
Office of Veterans' Service
The third Annual Report of the Office of Veterans' Services covers the first full peace year since the termination of hostilities. Veterans are still returning to us each week, but in smaller number, and the processing of them into civilian life will con- tinue for the next two or three years. We have approximately 350 men still in service. A few will continue to enter until March, 1947, when new action will be taken on the future extension of the Selective Service Act. Several local men have re-enlisted, in many cases due to financial reasons or their inability to properly adjust themselves as civilians. The past year has given us an opportunity to visualize the trend of the veterans' problem for the immediate future.
At the present time, the main phases of post-war veteran planning come under the following categories:
Housing-This is a national problem as well as a local one. Prices for homes are beyond the average veteran's ability to pay. The renovating of old property lags due to lack of essential materials and vacant apartments are non-existent. Many vet- erans have to double up with relatives in small quarters and this factor leads to much unrest and dissatisfaction which greatly affects their marital life.
Financial Readjustment-The benefits under the "G. I. Bill" have sent many back to school or college, into apprentice or on- the-job-training, and back to the old job. Subsistence checks are often held up for three or four months and since the Mustering- out pay and the Massachusetts State Bonus checks have been received and, in most cases, spent, many veterans have difficulty meeting the cost of the essentials of life, especially with the rising cost of food. Some find the subsistence allowance insuffi- cient to continue on in school. The Andover Servicemen's Fund Association has made some loans in worthy cases and Home Service of the American Red Cross has always assisted when called upon.
109
.
Veterans' Dependents-Hospital and Medical bills, lay-offs during strikes or slack periods, domestic misunderstandings and increased living expenses combine to make this class of veteran aid a most complex one. This type of problem is ever with us and will increase as the number of veterans' dependents increase.
Services to veterans for the past year have been chiefly in the fields of education; apprentice and on-the-job training; photo- static work; bonus, terminal leave, pension and subsistence appli- cations; hospitalization; and reinstatement and conversion of National Service Life Insurance. Much of this work is considered veteran processing and no record is made of the number of calls. Only cases requiring paper work are recorded and approximately 2,484 cases have gone through this office during the past twelve months. These cover 53 phases of veteran service and rehabilita- tion with 78 reference contact offices involved. 17 cases for financial assistance under State Aid, War Allowance and Soldiers' Relief have been cared for. These benefits, after January 1, 1947, will be consolidated and known as Veterans' Benefits and the State of Massachusetts will reimburse the town for one-half of funds spent. The full cost of the administration of the office is still paid from local taxation.
We cannot visualize the call which may be made of Veterans' Service. Economic and social conditions will govern expenditures. Since most of the legislation for veterans covers a period of time extending from two to ten years in most cases, and some up to twenty-five years after the official termination of the war, we believe the need for assistance, counselling and guidance will increase rather than decrease for the next five years at least. The Guidance Department of Punchard High School, headed by Mr. Bernard M. Kellmurray, is working in a most co-operative man- ner with this office. The report on veteran education and guid- ance will be found under the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
The office files now contain 1,305 photostatic copies and nega- tives of the honorable discharge papers of local veterans. During the year approximately 2,500 photostatic copies were made for the filing of the Massachusetts State Bonus, Terminal Leave, and Education or On-the-Job Training applications.
As our former servicemen and women establish themselves in civilian life and build for the future, the work of this office will take on a more serious aspect. They will find themselves con-
110
fronted with numerous domestic and economic problems which will demand our careful guidance, best judgment, and a sym- pathetic understanding.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. HARDY, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS HOWELL F. SHEPARD Board of Selectmen
FRANK P. MARKEY, Veterans' Service Agent
111
Andover Town Infirmary
The Infirmary has cared for thirteen townspeople this past year, seven of whom have been with us several years. Of the six who found temporary shelter and care, three were children, one a rheumatic fever victim in need of nursing care, and the other two men, in need of a home and care for a short time.
We had a fine Christmas party, with remembrances from The November Club, Abbot Academy, The King's Daughters, Mrs. Frank Brigham, and Mrs. John Rasmussen.
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