USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1950-1954 > Part 15
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PERSONAL TAXES
Year
Collected
Abated
1951
1951
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1952 $ 171.65
1949
$ 437.31
$ 67.05
1950
4,453.61
28.80
1,102.81
1951
110,478.81
438.00
5,946.27
REAL ESTATE TAXES
Year
Collected
Abated
Outstanding
1951
1951
Jan. 1, 1952 $ 19.08
1949
$ 1,743.82
1950
33,510.01
502.20
4,441.53
1951
683,316.10
7,705.66
37,860.34
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Year
Collected
Abated
Outstanding
1951
1951
Jan. 1, 1952
1949
$ 2.00
$ 47.00
1950
5,229.99
$ 935.09
122.77
1951
111,166.17
6,933.78
5,988.21
MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS
$
3,262.67
Sewer Assessments (apportioned)
Paid in Advance
1,208.33
Sewer Assessments (apportioned)
1,662.82
Sewer Assessments (unapportioned)
4,871.69
Committed Interest on Sewer Assessments
492.03
Classified Forest Land Tax
2.00
Interest on Delinquent Taxes
1,456.89
103
Water Liens
1951
Summary of Collector's Cash Account
1951
1950
1949
1948
Totals
Taxes
$ 800,870.91
$ 37,973.62
$ 2,181.13
$ 841,025.66
Motor Vehicle Exise
111,166.17
5,229.99
2.00
116,398.16
Sewer (apportioned Paid in Advance
1,208.33
1,208.33
Sewer (apportioned)
1,587.73
33.97
41.12
1,662.82
Sewer (unapportioned)
130.80
4,036.16
$ 704.73
4,871.69
Committed Interest on Sewer
479.10
3.05
9.88
492.03
Water Liens
1,808.90
545.55
908.22
3,262.67
Classified Forest Land Tax
2.00
2.00
Interest on Delinquent Taxes
236.65
970.31
239.72
10.21
1,456.89
Totals
$ 917,359.79
$ 44,887.29
$ 7,418.23
$ 714.94
$ 970,380.25
JAMES P. CHRISTIE, Collector of Taxes
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Assessors Report
We herewith submit our annual report : -
Number of polls assessed 4,203
Number of persons assessed 3,641 (real and personal)
Valuation-personal property $2,909,677.00
Valuation-real estate 18,168,090.00
$21,077,767.00
Tax on polls
$ 8,406.00
Tax on personal property
116,387.08
Tax on real estate
726,723.60
851,516.68
Apportioned sewer
1,702.88
Committed interest
536.56
Water liens added to taxes
3,862.84
Abatements :-
Poll taxes
1,344.00
Personal Property
533.85
Real estate
8,207.86
Rate of taxation per $1,000 .- $40.00
Number of assessed
Horses
41
Cows
559
Yearlings, bulls, and heifers
134
Swine
235
Fowl
38,505
Sheep
124
All other
362
Number of acres land assessed
16,852
Dwellings assessed
3,246
MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAILER EXCISE
Number of vehicles assessed
5,750
Assessed Valuation
$3,091,390.00
Excise
121,767.77
Abatements
7,868.87
Rate-$46.85
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ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS
Number of polls assessed 23
Number of persons assessed, real and personal
146
Valuation-personal property $ 9,100.00 Valuation-real estate
25,930.00
Tax on polls 46.00
Tax on personal property
328.00
Tax on real estate
1,037.20
Number of acres assessed
69.08+
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. HARDY, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS SIDNEY P. WHITE
Municipal Properties and Public Improvements
Land and Buildings
Equip. and other prop.
Total
Town Hall
$ 115,900
$ 15,150
$ 131,050
Shaw Property
12,000
12,000
Fire Department
92,175
48,000
140,175
Police Department
600
2,700
3,300
Schools
2,698,000
52,000
2,750,000
Library
212,000
40,000
252,000
Water Department
135,000
1,252,892
1,387,892
Sewer Department
2,600
628,310
630,910
Highway Department
26,200
70,200
96,400
Parks and Playgrounds
67,175
6,200
73,375
Tree Warden and Moth Departments
80,300
2,500
82,800
Spring Grove Cemetery
36,350
1.125
37,475
Weights and Measures
350
350
Town Scales
500
500
Old Schoolhouses
43,750
43,750
Punchard School Fund
84,558
84,558
Memorial Hall Investment Funds
93,054
93,054
Burnham Road-land
2,500
2,500
Pomps Pond Bathing Beach
7,050
300
7,350
Indian Ridge-land
1,000
1,000
Woodland-West District
275
275
Public Dump Site
6,000
6,000
Tax Title Possessions
2,225
2,225
Carmel Woods-land
12,300
12,300
Main and Dwight Sts .- land
5,000
5.000
Totals
$3,558,400
$2,307,039
$5,865,439
9.200
9,200
Infirmary
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Board of Public Welfare
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1951.
During the year 1951, we added 24 cases to our Old Age Assistance rolls and dropped 28 through death and other causes. We had 40 applications for this form of aid, and of these, 16 were found to be ineligible. At the start of 1951 we had 183 cases, and we closed the year with 179. The referen- dum increasing benefits under the Old Age Assistance law, which was passed by the voters in 1950 to become effective on June 1, 1951, was disallowed by the Supreme Court. How- ever, the 1951 Legislature granted additional benefits to be- come effective on January 1, 1952. This Legislature also passed a very good law which is effective as of January 1, 1952, which makes it mandatory that all persons receiving assistance as of January 1, 1952, and all future applicants, give the town a lien on any real estate they may own. The purpose of the lien is to secure repayment of assistance granted after January 1, 1952.
During 1951, the Legislature set up a new form of aid called "Disability Assistance", which grants assistance to persons who are permanently disabled. The Federal Govern- . ment will pay part of the expense, and the State and Towns the remainder. How far-reaching the law will be is not known at the present time. We have had 7 applicants for this type of relief, 6 of whom were transferred from General Relief.
Our Aid to Dependent Children form of assistance has in- creased by 3 families during 1951, and there has also been an increased cost in the budgetary requirements. At the end of 1951 we were aiding 15 cases.
Our General Relief form of aid should be decreased this coming year, due to the inauguration of Disability Assist-
107
ance, but because of the unemployment situation in the local mills, we cannot be too hopeful.
At this time, we wish to thank all citizens and private or- ganizations who have assisted our department.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. HARDY, Chairman J. EVERETT COLLINS SIDNEY P. WHITE
ARTHUR W. COLE, Welfare Agent
108
Report of Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery
The Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery submit their an- nual report for the year 1951.
There were seventy-eight interments during the year, twenty-one new lots were sold which are all under perpetual care.
The amount of perpetual care for lots sold during the year was $3,177.00 dollars. Four old lots were placed under per- petual care totalling $465.00 dollars.
The income from perpetual care funds for the year amounted to $2,259.20. Monies received from annual care, sale of lots, foundations, interments, etc., amounted to $2, 403.13.
Five hundred feet of permanent hard black top road was constructed on the East side of the cemetery continuing beyond that which was done last year. In time it is hoped that all the main roads will be hot topped as it is a needed improvement.
A flag stone walk has been laid thru the plate section which is on the East side of the cemetery. Additional curbing was installed and a walk around the drinking fountain.
Three hundred feet of the stone wall along Abbot Street has been pointed up.
Trees and shrubbery have been pruned and trimmed.
One half of the tool house has been reshingled.
The cemetery needs a chapel tent to be used in inclement weather and the Trustees hope same will be provided under
an article in the Warrant.
On November 24th, our faithful superintendent, Jesse E. West died suddenly, after serving thirteen years in a most efficient manner.
109
Nelson Townsend was appointed superintendent for the following year.
The Trustees voted to spread on their records the follow- ing resolutions :
Whereas, Jesse E. West, superintendent of Spring Grove Cemetery for the past thirteen years, was called by death November 24th, 1951.
Resolved, that we record our deep sympathy in his passing and wish to express our appreciation for his long, faithful and valuable services.
Be it further Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread on the records of the Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery and that a copy be sent to his family.
FRANK R. PETTY, Chairman FRED E. CHEEVER, Secretary ALBERT E. CURTIS MALCOLM LUNDGREN CLIFFORD E. MARSHALL
Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery
110
Office of Veterans' Service
As we submit our eighth annual report on Veterans' Ser- vices and Rehabilitation, we see an ever increasing number of folders in our files on the Korean Campaign Veterans. All men and women serving in the U. S. Armed Forces after June 27, 1950, will be considered Veterans of Korea and will participate in many benefits similar to those accorded World War II veterans. Servicemen are being discharged each week and will continue to be discharged, unless some unforeseen event demands their retention beyond the date of their en- listment period.
July 25, 1951, marked the dead line for most of the World War II Veterans' Educational and Vocational Training un- der the G. I. Bill. These benefits will continue in a few ex- ceptional cases and will be extended, on a modified scale, to the new veterans.
Despite the fact that we are experiencing slack periods in local textile employment, the monetary demands on this office were less than anticipated for the year. This enabled us to return to free cash a substantial unexpended balance. We cannot look forward to the coming year with any degree of optimism in textile employment and expect our case load in this field to be greater.
Hospital and medical bills were somewhat lower this year, but will increase in 1952 due to the passage of Chapter 753 of the General Laws of Massachusetts which extends free medical care and hospitalization to all mothers of deceased veterans of any war or insurrection who died of injury or disease sustained or contacted in service. This law becomes effective on January 28, 1952.
Veterans' Benefits and Veterans' Rehabilitation cover a very diversified field of domestic and marital problems plus innumerable Federal benefits and State monetary assistance. The case load in all categories was approximately Twenty- one Hundred with State Veterans' Benefits, Pensions, Com- pensations, Medical, and Hospitalization, Insurance, Edu-
111
cation and Employment leading all other classes in our ser- vice.
All local Veteran Organizations participated in the re- burial here of two Korean dead. Other veteran deaths during the year were: World War I-eleven; Spanish War-two; British War Veterans-one.
One of the most important services offered by this office is making photostatic copies of all Honorable Discharges. One copy is given to the veteran and the second copy retained in our files for future use. Many World War I and returned Korean veterans have never requested this service. It is a most important one for their benefit, especially in time of sickness or death, and we urge all who have not brought their papers here for photostatic purposes to do so as soon as possible.
We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the cooperation and assistance received during the year from all Andover Veterans' Organizations, the Home Service of the Red Cross Chapter, the Welfare Department, all Town Departments, the Andover Service Club, and all other bene- volent and charitable groups.
Respectfully submitted, ROY E. HARDY, Chairman, Board of Selectmen J. EVERETT COLLINS SIDNEY P. WHITE
FRANCIS P. MARKEY, Agent
Office of Veterans' Service
112
Third Annual Report of the Andover Housing Authority
Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-one was our first full year of occupancy of the fifty-six homes by Andover veteran families. Rent collections were very good. A few tenants have fallen behind and the Veterans' Service Office has helped these tenants in emergencies. Our rent collections are almost 100 percent, and we do not anticipate any losses.
There has been a very low turnover. In most cases the turnover has been in situations where the veteran has purchased or built his own home. This is a healthy sign as the Development was built with the thought that veterans and their families would use these homes as a temporary measure until they could build or purchase their own homes.
There is still a need for housing among low-income veter- ans and their families. The Authority has many applicants to fill vacant apartments as the high cost of home building or home purchasing still places home ownership beyond the reach of the lower income veterans. The selection for vacan- cies is a difficult one, but nevertheless, the Authority would like all veterans needing homes to continue to file applica- tions so that vacancies will go to the most needy families of Andover veterans.
A good deal of the time was spent during the year in the final completion of the Development according to the plans and specifications. Corrections were made in the heating system and further corrections are planned to provide satis- factory heat at all times when needed. The seeding and planting has been completed. Minor deficiencies in carpentry, plastering and painting have all been corrected. The Author- ity is of the opinion that we now have a Development as ori- ginally planned but no effort will be spared to continue to make further needed improvements where necessary.
Our Manager, James E. Manning, has been doing a splen- did job. He has worked with the veteran families, and he re-
113
ports splendid cooperation from the tenants in maintenance. All Andover people who have seen the Development from the outside will bear this out. The members of the Authority and the people who have had the privilege of visiting at the various homes during the year know that the same standard of maintenance is being carried out on the inside.
The Authority expects to sell its permanent bonds some- time in April, 1952. After these bonds are sold, a complete management budget will be in operation with a reserve being built up to take care of periodic painting, further maintenance needs, and any vacancy or collection losses. Last year the Authority made a payment in lieu of taxes to the Town in the amount of $289.87. This year the payment in lieu of taxes based on the State Housing Board approved formula of 5 percent of rents after deducting charges for heat and electricity will be about $1250. A deduction for electricity for the street lighting in the amount of $140 will be made because the Authority is paying for street lighting. That deduction was required by the State Housing Board on the basis of the five overhead lights at $28 per year which the Town was willing to provide. Actually, the Authority has seven street lights as a part of the underground electricity system.
A complete financial statement as of December 31, 1951, is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY F. SWANTON, Chairman ERNEST N. HALL, Vice Chairman WINTHROP NEWCOMB, Treasurer FRANKLIN HAGGERTY, Asst. Treas. CHARLES G. HATCH, Member
114
DEVELOPMENT FUND BALANCE SHEET-DECEMBER 31, 1951
ASSETS
Cash-Development Fund
Andover National Bank $12,121.10
Bay State Merchants National 3,223.33
$ 15,344.43 40,000.00
U. S. Treasury Bills
Development Cost
646,042.90
$701,387.33
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
Acc't Payable-Contract Retentions
$ 19,429.51
Notes Authorized-Temporary Less Unissued 25,000.
645,000.00
Unamortized Premium on Notes
10,398.00
Interest Accrued-Temporary Notes
26,230.00
Unearned Discount on Treasury Bills
329.82
$701,387.33
ADMINISTRATION FUND TRIAL BALANCE-DECEMBER 31, 1951
Administration Fund-Cash
$22,124.27
Security Deposit Fund-Cash
544.00
Accounts Receivable Tenants
248.50
Tenants Security Deposits
$ 544.00
Dwelling Rent Schedule
45,391.79 122.00
Prepaid Rents
Management Salaries and Expense
1,290.51
Operating Services
1,112.86
Utilities
12,561.80
Repairs, Maintenance, Replacements
3,178.31
General Expense
4,997.54
$46,057.79 $46,057.79
115
$670,000.
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, 1952; Roy E. Hardy, Secretary, term expiring May 1, 1953; Edward P. Hall, term expiring May 1, 1954; and two associate mem- bers, Leon A. Field and Walter C. Tomlinson, terms expiring May 1, 1952.
During the year 1951, the sixteenth year of the Zoning By- Law, the Board heard and decided fourteen cases as follows :
Petition of Garabed Dargoonian, decided on February 5, 1951, for permission to erect and maintain a gasoline and oil filling station on property owned by him at 199 North Main Street. Denied
Petition of Irving G. Clark, decided on February 5, 1951, for a variance from the Zoning By-Law with respect to the erection of a garage within 15 feet of the east side lot line on the property owned by him and his wife, Esther J. Clark, at 11 Appletree Lane. Denied
Petition of Marjorie Stearns, decided on April 2, 1951, for permission to convert a two-family house owned by her at 12 Locke Street into a three-apartment house. Granted
Petition of Esther Bredbury, decided on April 2, 1951, for permission to alter and extend the building owned by her at the corner of Poor and Lowell Streets for business purposes.
Denied
Petition of George Hird, decided on April 30, 1951, for permission to use a building on his property at 100 Lowell Street as a general store. Denied
Petition of John J. Higgins and Ruth F. Higgins, decided on April 30, 1951, for permission to erect a house on their property at 46 Lowell Street with side yards of less than 15 feet. Denied
Petition of Sidney P. White, decided on June 11, 1951, for permission to erect a roadside stand and dairy bar on his
116
property on the south side of Lowell Street for the purposes of selling farm products, ice cream, and other manufactured products. Granted for Sale of Farm Products Only.
Petition of Raymond J. Dobbin and Vivien M. Dobbin, decided on May 28, 1951, for permission to construct a ga- rage on property owned by them at 34 Enmore Street with a front yard of less than 30 feet. Denied
Petition of Philip J. Coffey, decided on June 18, 1951, for permission to construct a garage on property owned by him at 36 Maple Avenue with a side yard of less than 15 feet. Granted
Petition of Charles B. Roberts, decided on August 6, 1951, for permission to convert a two-family house owned by him at the intersection of North Main, Ferndale, and Poor Streets being numbered 400-402 North Main Street, into a four-apartment house. Granted
Petition of Edward T. McFarlin and Margaret H. McFar- lin, decided on September 10, 1951, for permission to convert a two-family house owned by them at 95 Elm Street into a three-apartment house. Granted
Petition of Esther Bredbury, decided on September 21, 1951, for permission to alter and extend the building owned by her at the corner of Poor and Lowell Streets for business purposes similar to those previously conducted on the pre- mises. Granted
Petition of Ruth L. Lauder, decided on October 1, 1951, for permission to construct a garage on property owned by her husband, Gordon B. Lauder, and her at 46 Enmore Street within 20 feet of a private way. Denied
Petition of Charles W. Arnold, decided on November 5, 1951, for permission to construct a garage on his property at 88 Central Street within 15 feet of the side line of his pro- perty. Denied
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. EASTHAM, Chairman ROY E. HARDY, Secretary EDWARD P. HALL
117
Report of Planning Board and Board of Survey
The following Public Hearings were held by the Planning Board during the year 1951 :
February 2-For approval of a plan of land off the east- erly side of Woodland Road for the purpose of subdivision and opening a private way for public use on petition of Josephine E. Lumsden. This plan was approved and recom- mended for acceptance.
May 11-For approval of a plan of land off the easterly side of Highland Road for the purpose of subdivision and opening for public use on petition of Frederick H. Smith. No action could be taken on the plan as presented. The peti- tioner was requested to bring a complete set of plans before the Board.
May-Petitioner Ruth Stevens was represented by Carl Stevens for approval of a plan on Virginia Road for the pur- pose of a change in lot area and increasing the width of a proposed way. This plan was approved and signed.
May 25-A proposed amendment to the Town Zoning By- Laws rezoning a section of land at the corner of Lowell and Poor Streets in Shawsheen Village from a residential dis- trict to a business district. After due consideration of all factors surrounding this proposed amendment, the Board recommends that it be rejected by the Town.
June 22-On petition by the Selectmen for the approval of a plan of Carmel Road Extension by the Town Infirmary. This plan was approved and recommended for acceptance.
September 28-For the approval of a plan of land east of Enmore Street on petition of the Andover-Shawsheen Realty Company for the purpose of subdivision and opening a pro- posed way for public use. It was voted to approve the plan
118
provided the completed plan indicated a joining of the pro- posed way and the present point of acceptance on Dufton Road.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY P. WHITE, Chairman WALTER C. TOMLINSON, Secretary LEON A. FIELD FREDERICK E. CHEEVER KIRK R. BATCHELLER
EDWARD R. LAWSON, Clerk
119
Report of Recreation Committee
The Andover Recreation Committee submits its report for the year 1951.
For the first time since the inception of playground activi- ties in Andover, the entire Recreation Department functioned under one administrative head. Due to the recall to the U. S. Navy of Mr. Donald D. Dunn, formerly super- visor at Pomps Pond, Mr. James D. Doherty assumed charge of playgrounds and also of Pomps. Mr. George Snyder was appointed assistant supervisor of playgrounds and Mr. Richard Kydd was made head life guard at Pomps Pond. This new setup worked out in a very satisfactory manner and Mr. Doherty and his staff are to be commended on a very successful season.
PLAYGROUNDS
Five playgrounds were operated throughout the town with a personnel of twelve instructors. The attendance figures were as follows: Central 14,528 ; Ballardvale 15,058; Indian Ridge 5,690; Shawsheen 3,333; and West Centre 2,783.
Central Playground was temporarily located on the east end of the Park because of the traffic menace and other con- struction problems caused by the building of the new school. The annual Canobie Lake Picnic attracted 324 children and the First Annual Field Day was held at Central with 300 participating.
POMPS POND
Personnel consisted of the head life guard and five assist- ants with a matron on duty during the daytime. Daily bus service from various sections of the town on a regular time schedule was maintained through the season. The raft at Pomps must be replaced this year. The usual Life Saving classes were conducted and the Annual Water Carnival was very successful and was enjoyed by a large audience. The at- tendance for the season was 40,476.
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SKATING
Skating has been and will be enjoyed at the Ballardvale Rink, Sacred Heart School Rink, and Phillips Academy where they have offered the facilities of the new Sumner Smith Rink. Skating on the Playstead at Central was can- celled this season due to the construction of the new school.
EASTER AND HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES
These two annual events now take a very prominent part in the recreational program. The Easter Egg Hunt was the usual successful event. Halloween brought an innovation re- garding parties. Three or four enthusiastic and well attend- ed meetings were held prior to this event. Representatives from all Parent Teachers Associations, all Veterans' Organ- izations. Police and Fire Departments, High and Junior High Schools, St. Augustine's School Guild, Andover Youth Center, and the Andover Service Club attended these meet- ings and brought to the committee many good suggestions. Separate parties were requested by Ballardvale, Indian Ridge, and the North District. All other sections participated in the party at the Memorial Auditorium. The Girls' High School Band led the Halloween Parade and did an exception- ally fine job for which we extend our deep appreciation.
The playground and swimming season will be extended for an additional week in 1952 due to the demand that activities run through the entire month of August.
The Playground Parents Associations in the various sections where play areas are available have, through their generous financial assistance, enabled the committee to pur- chase some heavy equipment for installation for the coming year. This equipment, ordered two years ago, has just ar- rived, the delay in shipment being caused by the shortage and priority on steel. The committee is grateful to the mem- bers of these associations who conduct parties and carnivals and turn the money over for the purchase of playground equipment.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS All organizations-veteran, civic and social-mentioned
121
previously in this report have helped to a great extent to make our 1951 season so successful and our work as com- mitteemen a pleasure. To all, individually and collectively, we express our sincere thanks and appreciation.
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY, Chairman FRANCIS P. MARKEY, Secretary ALAN F. DUNLOP GEORGE A. STANLEY, JR. ALCO E. TAYLOR
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