USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1945-1949 > Part 41
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The twilight baseball league was operated as in the past, pro- viding some fine baseball three nights each week. The Committee appreciates the generosity of the Andover Townsman in provid- ing trophies for members of the winning team.
The annual picnic trip to Canobie Lake was made on July 26th with approximately 275 children enjoying a fine outing.
The Committee can again report with pleasure on the success of the series of Friday night dances held at the Andover Guild throughout the season. These dances are well supervised and
118
greatly enjoyed by our younger group who attend. We sincerely appreciate the kindness of the Andover Guild in permitting the use of the building and services for conducting these dances.
One new innovation, a Hallowe'en party, was sponsored by a Committee during the past year. This proved to be an eventful night for approximately 1,700 men, women and children who over- flowed the Memorial Auditorium and gymnasium, and enjoyed an evening of entertainment and refreshment. Appreciation is hereby expressed to those organizations and individuals whose generous donations made this highly successful party possible.
Continued progress was made in improving the condition of our playground equipment and in providing new equipment. During the past year, volley ball courts, basketball backboards and new work tables have been provided at several locations. Considerable remains to be accomplished, however, to properly equip our play areas, and the addition of other needed items is planned for 1950.
SWIMMING - POMP'S POND
Swimming activities were carried on at Pomp's Pond under the supervision of Donald D. Dunn assisted by five male life guards and one matron.
The season was of eight weeks duration and because of the extremely hot summer the facilities were used very extensively. The total attendance was 39,700 with a daily average of about 700. The Committee is extremely pleased to report that even with this large attendance the 100% no accident record has been pre- served.
Classes in swimming and life saving were conducted throughout the season, covering those in the beginners group, intermediates and the advanced swimmers. 110 beginners were taught how to swim.
The season closed with a two-day elaborate aquatic programı. The first day was devoted to a pageant entitled, "The Origin of Swimming" together with competitive swimming races, and the second day was given over to Life Saving demonstrations and novelty events performed by members of the staff.
Considerable improvement was made in the facilities at the Pond during the past year. In the interest of safety a new Eton Resuscitator was added to the equipment. A new picnic area was
119
developed, an open-air fireplace constructed and repairs made to existing facilities.
The Committee will continue to expand and improve the beach facilities to the end that suitable provision is made for the com- fort, pleasure and safety of our interested citizens.
SKATING
Skating as usual presents a difficult problem due to the de- pendence on the weather and the lack of proper surfaces for flood- ing. Every effort was made to provide a skating surface whenever possible, and when provided indicates the great interest that exists in this activity.
CONCLUSION
Operating within its budget the Committee has endeavored to improve our present recreational facilities and to expand them as well, to meet the desires of our young people and those most inter- ested in them, their parents. Much more remains to be done. We need more and larger play fields, adequate flooding surfaces for skating, and more equipment for the playgrounds and Pomp's Pond. The Committee is mindful of these needs and within the limits of its appropriation will continue to make necessary and desirable improvements in our recreational facilities.
The finest cooperation has been received from all quarters during the year, but special appreciation and thanks go forth to Cross Coal Company for their generous use of a truck daily to transport the children from various sections of the town to Pomp's Pond Swimming Beach and to the Brothers of Sacred Heart School for the use of the skating arena which they main- tained and kept in good condition.
Respectfully submitted,
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY, Chairman FRANK L. CAVERLY, Secretary ALAN F. DUNLOP EDWARD J. LEFEBVRE GEORGE A. STANLEY, JR.
120
Report of Special Committee on Water and Sewerage
Your committee reports with pleasure that the construction by the Town of the new 16-inch main from Haggetts Pond to School Street and 20-inch intake at the pond, part of the recommenda- tions of this committee, have materially assisted in bringing an adequate supply of water into the Town, in spite of continued dry years and a considerable increase in consumption. However this increase makes it necessary that another of our recom- mendations, larger reservoir capacity, should be effected as soon as possible, and your committee therefore endorses the article proposed in the Town Warrant by the Board of Public Works for the construction of a 6 million gallon reservoir for the low service system. This new reservoir would even better safeguard our water supply if it were connected by a main of adequate capacity to the present end of the 16-inch main on School St., as recom- mended by the report of Weston and Sampson in 1945 and as also proposed by the Board of Public Works.
We also believe that the increasing demand on the high service system makes it obligatory for us to repeat our recommendations for strengthening that service, and we hope that the Town will see fit to furnish the additional funds to rehabilitate the high service pumping station, and to very soon either construct a new force main from that pumping station to the high service reser- voir, or at least to clean and reline the present 8-inch main; it will be eventually necessary to construct a force main with more capacity than even a clean 8-inch main can offer. Our recom- mendation for greater high service reservoir capacity still stands, and this should be furnished as soon as the financial con- dition of the Town makes it wise.
The committee wishes to repeat its recommendation of last year that the Town seriously consider the early construction of a trunk sewer to Ballardvale and of lateral lines to serve the more highly built-up sections of that part of Andover. Increasing popu- lation and greater per capita use of water will soon make private disposal of sewage inadequate and unsanitary.
Your committee with the highly appreciated cooperation of the
121
Town Counsel has spent much time in consideration of the vexed problem of sewer assessments, but we have not been able to agree in any one specific recommendation to the Board of Public Works. We have sent to that Board a communication concerning the history, legal aspects and general theories of assessments, but we feel that we can only offer several suggestions and cannot go beyond that point. We have studied seriously the possibility of sewer rentals in connection with future extensions, and there seems to be no reason why such a system could not be adopted without imposing a serious immediate burden on the abutters on a new sewer, while at the same time a fair return to the Town would be assured. We have also considered the possibility of establishing a certain minimum assessment with reduced assess- ment on the upper parts of the cost of the more expensive instal- lations.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD V. FRENCH SIDNEY P. WHITE JOSEPH A. MCCARTHY
Committee
122
Andover Town Infirmary
December 31, 1949
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
The annual report of the matron of the Town Infirmary is given herewith:
During 1949 we have housed fourteen persons, three of whom have been here for a number of years. Two of the men who had lived here for some time, and were over 80 years of age, died, and one of the women went to the Andover Home for Aged on Punchard avenue, as a vacancy occurred there which enabled her to do so.
We have admitted five persons during the year on recom- mendation of the Selectmen, but two of these were for temporary shelter only. The three who came in 1948 are still with us, making a total of nine residents at the home at the present time.
The past summer, being very hot and dry, the lawns were dried up as we did not feel as if we should use water too much when it was so scarce everywhere. Therefore our lawn does need seeding down and some way found to keep the water which comes over the rise above the house from washing away the soil.
We took up the matter of insulating the attic of the house with the Selectmen and as Roland Weeks, the superintendent at the Infirmary, agreed to do the work, the insulation was provided. Mr. Weeks is being helped by two of the inmates. Already it has been noticed that the front part of the house is much warmer. It is hoped that next summer's heat will be less in the rooms after the job is finished.
Except for one case of diabetes which developed suddenly and was fatal to one of the inmates, there has been very little illness to report. The members of the Infirmary family have their own doctors which are called whenever it seems necessary, and the district nurse comes in once a week to bathe one of the women who is very lame, and she is paid by her patient. Five of the in- mates pay a little toward their board, and others help with the cleaning and laundry.
123
To keep a place of this size in good repair means some papering and painting every year. Pipes give out and have to be renewed, and furnishings wear out and must be replaced. Very little has been done in the three years we have been here until this fall when two rooms in the main part of the house were papered, and the floors of these rooms and the upstairs hall and stairs were var- nished.
The State Inspector in June gave us a very good report in re- gard to the upkeep of the Infirmary and it is the wish of those in charge to continue this good work.
On Thanksgiving and Christmas several were invited out to dinner with relatives and all were remembered at Christmas with gifts of money, candy and fruit from the Abbot Academy Chris- tian association, the November Club, the King's Daughters and private individuals. A tree and party were enjoyed on Christmas eve by the folks and gifts distributed by Mr. and Mrs. Weeks of the Infirmary staff.
Number of Inmates, January 1, 1949 9
Number admitted during year 5
Number died during year
2
Number discharged during year
3
Number of Inmates January 1, 1950 9
Number between 60 and 70 years of age
4
Number between 70 and 80 years of age
3
Number between 80 and 90 years of age
2
Respectfully submitted,
MARY C. EDMANDS, Matron
124
Fire Department
January 23, 1950
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit my ninth annual report as Chief of the Andover Fire Department.
During the year 1949 the department answered the following alarms: 58 Bell; 234 Still; 3 False; Total 305.
Total number of feet of hose laid, 52,300.
Assessed value of buildings where fires occurred was $150,- 250.00.
Loss in buildings where fires occurred was $15,942.00.
Inspections made for Oil Burners, L.P. Gas etc., 531.
Ambulance calls for the year totaled 469, of which 410 were answered by Cadillac Ambulance, 15 by the Henney Ambulance, 30 by the Ford car, 13 by the Chief's car, 1 by Deputy's car. Miles traveled 9173.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD BUCHAN, Chief Andover Fire Dept.
125
Police Department
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Miscellaneous complaints received and investigated 379
Summons served for out of town police 53
Automobiles stolen in Andover 1
Automobiles recovered in Andover
4
Bicycles stolen in Andover
10
Bicycles recovered in Andover
10
Breaks in Camps and Dwellings
12
Doors in Business District found open and secured
81
Lost children returned to parents
6
Runaway children returned to parents or institutions
2
Dogs killed by automobiles
14
Dogs gassed by Police
6
Street Lights reported out to Lawrence Gas Co. 451
Dogs lost and returned to owner 5
Number of persons bitten by dogs 21
Board of Health and Animal Inspector notified on dog bites
21
Cattle lost and returned to owner
3
Dead bodies cared for by police
1
Suicides reported and investigated by police
1
Persons notified for out of town police
21
Tramps put up for night in lock-up
2
Dwellings inspected while owners away
115
Articles found and returned to owners
12
Summons served on local complaints in Andover
14
Fires discovered by Police
1
Missing persons reported, located and returned
8
Highway conditions reported to B.P.W.
5
Water leaks in street reported by Police to B.P.W. 3
Tree Dept. notified of Limbs and Trees down in streets 5
Persons taken to Danvers State Hospital by Police 5
Persons taken to Hospital by Police in Cruisers
4
126
Hens killed by dogs, investigated by police 31 False Alarms of Fire investigated by Police 3
Burglar Alarms set off and investigated by Police
7
Bell Alarms of Fire covered by Police
58
Autos ordered towed to Garage 4 Cards sent to Registry of Motor Vehicles for Violations of Motor Laws 383
Licenses suspended by Registry of Motor Vehicles for Violation of Motor Laws 171
2
Breaks in business establishments
4
Drownings
1
Hens reported stolen
869
ARRESTS AND CHARGES
Assault and Battery
3
Assault
1
Assault to Commit Rape
2
Kidnapping
2
Accosting opposite sex
1
Illegitimacy
1
Lewdness
2
Idle and Disorderly
1
Neglect of Family
3
Delinquent Children
4
Vagrancy
2
Drunkenness
54
Larceny
11
Burglarious Tools in possession
4
Concealed Weapon
2
Evading R. R. Fare
1
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
7
Refusing to stop for Officer
7
Violation of Auto Laws-Parking
5
Speeding
35
Leaving scene of Accident
1
Operating Unregistered and Uninsured Car
1
Operating to Endanger
4
Operating without License
7
127
Arrests made for out of town police
Operating under Influence of Liquor Operating after Revocation of License Operating after Suspension of License Allowing improper person to operate Damage to property Arrested for Out of Town Police Suspicious Person
11
2
1
1
1
3
2
183
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Convicted in District Court
116
On File
16
Released by Probation Officer
32
Turned over to Army Authorities
1
Dismissed
6
Turned over to Out of Town Police
12
183
Sentenced to House of Correction
15
Sentenced to Concord Reformatory
3
Sentenced to Bridgewater
1
Fines paid in District Court
$1498.00
Turned over to Parole Board
3
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE, Chief of Police
128
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
To the Board of Health and Townspeople of Andover:
I herewith submit a brief report as Board of Health Nurse and Agent for the Town of Andover for the year 1949.
1949
1948
1947
Diphtheria
0
0
0
Encephalitis
0
1
0
Dog Bite
39
30
33
Tuberculosis
1
7
6
Scarlet Fever
5
3
11
Chicken Pox
116
22
128
Whooping Cough
4
43
17
Measles
257
61
2
Mumps
79
12
4
Syphilis
3
2
1
Gonorrhea
1
0
0
Lobar Pneumonia
0
0
3
Meningitis O.F.
0
1
0
Anterior Poliomyelitis
2
1
2
Salmonella
2
0
1
German Measles
7
0
4
516
183
212
DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1949
1948
1947
Lobar Pneumonia
0
1
2
Tuberculosis
1
1
3
Bacillary Dysentery
0
0
1
1
2
6
In 1950 Andover will continue to hold free clinics. Among these will be the Toxoid Clinic for children entering school, the Baby Clinic and the Anti-Rabic Clinic for dogs.
Respectfully submitted, LOTTA M. JOHNSON, R.N.
129
Milk Inspector's Report
To the Andover Board of Health and Townspeople:
I submit herewith a condensed summary of the activities of my office for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The following licenses were granted following the inspection of processing plants and storage facilities:
Milk and Cream-65 Oleomargarine-15 Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts-4 Pasteurization of Milk-5
Fees for the above licenses were collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer whose receipt I hold.
During the year 61 samples of milk and 10 samples of cream were tested for butterfat and total solid content. Some of these samples were also tested for bacterial content at my Boston lab- oratory without extra cost to the Town. Refractometer studies for added water were also carried out on some samples. One sample of Goat's milk was tested at the request of the owner of the animal. Two samples of milk were low in total solid content, all other samples were up to standards. All producers and distribu- tors were notified of the results of the tests on their products. One producer was notified to desist from distributing raw milk in this Town. Periodic inspection trips to all farms were made and several trips to restaurants and stores were made with the mem- bers of the Board of Health.
In conclusion, the situation in this Town seems to be fairly good. I have had unusually good cooperation from most all of the producers and distributors in this area. Their continued coopera- tion will help to maintain the high health standards that we enjoy in this Town.
Respectfully,
ROBERT A. WALSH, Inspector of Milk
130
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
During the year of 1949 this Department has issued one hun- dred and sixty-nine (169) permits for new buildings and eighty- five (85) permits for additions and alterations.
The estimated value represented by applications filed and permits issued for New Building total one million, four hundred thirty-one thousand, three hundred and fifty dollars ($1,431,350 .- 00). Included in the above is the estimated cost of one hundred and six thousand, three hundred and thirty-five dollars ($106,335) in additions and alterations.
A part of these changes have provided living quarters for seven (7) families.
Total estimated building cost for 1949 was one million, five hundred thirty-seven thousand, six hundred and eighty-five ($1,537,685) dollars.
The New Building permits are classified below-
Single Residences
80
Single Garage
18
Two car Garages
14
Three Car Garages
1
Trailer Dwellings
2
Camps
7
Summer House
1
Milk Shed
2
Club House
1
Meeting Building
1
Office and Store House
1
Sales and Storage House
1
Tool House
1
Rabbit House
1
Storage and Stock
3
Cellar
2
Foundation for Garage
1
Pump House .
1
131
Green House
1
Silo
1
Blacksmith Shop
1
15
1
12
Total 169
I have made eight hundred and eleven (811) inspections.
During the last months of 1949 the largest part of my work has been at the new Building Project.
This Department has collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer Sixteen Hundred and Seventy-seven ($1677.00) Dollars for permits and license fees.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH W. COLEMAN, Building Inspector
Report of Wire Inspector
January 16, 1950
Board of Selectmen, Andover Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my report for wire inspections for the year 1949
378
Number of wire inspections
62
Number of fixture inspections
Total inspections 440
Amount collected and turned over to Treasurer, Town of Andover, $440.00.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. YOUNG, Inspector of Wires
132
Poultry House Pig Shelter Housing Project-56 appts; 12 bldgs.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
December 31, 1949
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1949:
SCALES
Adjusted
Sealed
Condem.
Platform over 10,000 lbs.
4
4
0
5000 to 10,000 lbs.
3
0
100 to 5000 lbs.
22
77
3
Under 100 lbs.
25
103
2
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Weights
2
219
5
Liquid Measures
33
0
Meters, Inlet 1" or less (Gas)
3
37
0
Meters, Inlet 1" or less (Oil)
0
24
0
Meters Inlet 1" or more
2
5
0
Other Automatic Liquid Meas. Dev. (Gas)
0
4
0
Other Automatic Liquid Meas.
(Kerosene)
1
15
0
Cloth Measuring Devices
0
1
0
Yardsticks
0
9
0
Total collections from January 1, 1949 to December 31, 1949 were $276.02 (two hundred and seventy-six dollars and two cents.)
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH SERIO, Sealer
133
Report of Tree Warden
January 1, 1950
To the Citizens of Andover:
Andover's great heritage in trees is threatened by inroads of the so called Dutch elm disease. The town, with over 6,000 public elm trees and many thousand more on the property of its citizens, may, if this disease goes unchecked, become unattractive and mediocre. While many citizens fail to appreciate our trees, cer- tainly visitors to Andover at once notice their beauty and grandeur. Many citizens have been attracted to the town in re- cent years and more are coming because of the beauty of our trees which is Andover.
Because the elm bark beetle, carrier of the disease from one tree to another, is an insect, the Legislature in 1949 gave control of the disease to the local Moth Superintendent under super- vision of the State Moth Department.
Since control involves pruning of healthy trees and the removal of diseased trees, already the duty, by law, of the Tree Warden, complications could easily arise. Fortunately, 90% of the Tree Wardens in the state are also Moth Superintendents. It seems as if these two offices might well be combined under the Tree Ward- en, even though it might be necessary to keep separate budgets.
The Andover Village Improvement Society furnished the Tree Warden with nearly $500.00 worth of chemicals for the de- struction of poison ivy along our roadsides. Roadsides sprayed in former years were checked and sprayed where new poison ivy growth had started, and several more miles of roadsides were sprayed, resulting in a good kill of the poison ivy.
Home building in all parts of the town has added greatly to the interest taken by our citizens in the eradication of this dangerous plant. If this work is to continue along our roadsides it may be necessary for the town to furnish the chemicals.
A new truck is needed this year to replace an old 1934 truck. Steps should be taken by the town to provide this department with a new building and grounds in place of rented space in sever- al different buildings.
134
Equipment needed in coming years are as follows :-
1. Replacement of a roadside tractor mower with new modern equipment. This old machine has given excellent service for many years in clearing our roadsides of weeds and brush, greatly im- proving the appearance and usefulness of our roads.
2. Replacement of our present gasoline power chain saw with a new one. The present saw proved its worth and more than paid for itself the first year of its operation.
3. Purchase of a generator and electric motor driven chain saw. This saw can be used to great advantage in tree pruning work and in cutting up limbs already cut off.
4. Purchase of a portable air compressor and tools used in cavity work and the repair of scars and broken trees. Also in the removal of stumps which may become numerous unless the Dutch elm disease is checked soon.
I recommend that $11,700.00 be appropriated to carry on the regular work of the Tree Warden's Department in 1950. Such a budget provides for the following :-
Warden's Salary
$1960.00
Labor (3 men)
8271.12
Gasoline, Oil, Tractor-mower and Power-saw Maintenance
665.00
Rent of Shop and Garage
225.00
Telephone, Printing and all other items
142.88
$11,700.00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT,
Tree Warden
135
Report of Moth Superintendent
January 1, 1950
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
Passage by the Legislature in 1949 of Chapter 761 of the General Laws places jurisdiction and control work on the Dutch elm disease in the state moth department of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation.
Under this Act the town must appropriate a separate fund for control work, under the direction of the local Moth Superin- tendent.
Control measures consist of the following :
1. Scouting for and investigating reports of suspected trees.
2. Taking samples from suspected trees and sending them to the shade tree disease laboratory in Amherst.
3. Removal and burning of any elm tree proven by laboratory test to have the disease. A. Public trees. B. Private trees within 500 feet of public property.
4. Spraying elms at least three times each season to destroy the elm bark beetle, carrier of the disease.
5. Pruning out dead and weak wood in healthy elm trees. To destroy any places where the elm bark beetles might find shelter to complete their life cycle and another year infect other trees.
6. Removal and burning fresh cut elm wood and elm piles left in the open with the bark on.
There were seven elm trees destroyed by the Dutch elm dis- ease in 1949. This is three more than in 1948, showing the need for increased control work.
The state moth law of 1948 increases the number of insects the town is required to control. Insects added to the list are canker- worms, oriental hag moth and elm leaf beetle.
The number of Japanese beetles increased greatly in town in 1949. Besides lawns attacked by the grubs, many adult beetles were found feeding on the foliage, blossoms and fruit of many trees and shrubs.
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