USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1950-1954 > Part 45
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Donald A MacNeil and Paul Upson appeared before the Board regarding having the Memorial drinking fountain in Shawsheen Square moved. In its present location it blocks the view of the lunch room and drug store, and they feel it should be moved into the William M. Wood Memorial Park across the street. Planning Board approves if the pro- ponents are willing to share cost of moving said Memorial.
In accordance with the decision of the Board of Appeals, the plan of land for William and Mildred Turner of High Plain Road was signed by the Planning Board.
November 22-A special meeting was held relative to the report of the Zoning Committee and their opinions concern- ing a change in the zoning laws of the Town of Andover. Further study of this problem to be made during the coming year.
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December 6-C. L. Ryan, Angelo J. Moschetto and George A. Jimokas appeared before the Board with reference to a possible tannery in Andover. This business was discouraged by the Board of Public Works, their study had shown that there was not sufficient water available to operate the busi- ness proposed.
Mr. Levine, Mr. Schmitt, and Mr. Rohner appeared before the Board with reference to a subdivision with lots of 50 foot frontages as accepted back in 1921. No action was necessary by the Board.
Mr. Edmond E. Hammond appeared requesting the accept- ance of a portion of Alden Road. Mr. Hammond was willing to make certain improvements upon said road. The Board suggested certain changes be made in his proposed plan and that it be brought back for further study.
In addition to the above, the change in the zoning laws, in March 1954, made necessary the endorsement by the Plan- ning Board on fifty-five plans as not requiring action by this board.
We wish to record here for the benefit of the Townspeople the retirement from this board of Leon A. Field and Fred E. Cheever. Leon served thirteen years most of this time as secretary. Fred served twelve years and never missed a meeting.
Mention also should be made of the service rendered to this board by Richard C. Simmers and especially the cour- teous co-operation of his secretary Mrs. Frances N. Harri- man. All the necessary records and correspondence for the board were completed in Mr. Simmer's office at no expense to the Town.
MRS. CHESTER T. (INEZ) JENKINS, Clerk
WARREN O. PETERSEN, Engineering Technical Advisor
This report was prepared by the Secretary; additions by the Chairman.
Respectfully submitted, KIRK R. BATCHELLER, Chairman RICHARD C. SIMMERS, Secretary EUGENE A. BERNARDIN, JR. FRED E. CHEEVER LEON A. FIELD
142
Report of Recreation Committee
This year the Recreation Committee supervised six play- grounds, including a new one opened at the North School Grounds in the North District. The other playgrounds are at Central, Ballardvale, Shawsheen, West Center, and Indian Ridge. The average daily attendance on all playgrounds was 509 children, with a total registration over 900. The usual program of games, sports, arts and crafts, inter-playground baseball and tournaments, combined with the main attrac- tions of the Annual Canobie Lake Picnic, Annual Field Day, and Ballardvale Carnival added up to a very enjoyable sum- mer for the children and many of their mothers. The Twi- light Baseball League (boys 16 to 22 and up) did not come up to expectations this year due to the apparent lack of competitive spirit among the teams. The committee went all out in this field of recreation but the results have been disap- pointing after the remarkable season of the previous year. Until such time as the young men show more enthusiastic desire for evening baseball, the committee will carry on Twi- light Baseball only to a limited degree. We shall concentrate more on the Ballardvale League, the Little League and the Junior League as these groups have shown a very definite interest in competitive baseball. As in the past, we shall con- tinue to support these leagues in a supplemental manner.
POMPS POND
Following the program of the year before, the swimming beach was open from 10 A. M. until noon only to those en- rolled in the various classes of water safety instruction. The Beginners class had 250 small children to start the season and 125 completed the course of instruction and passed their tests. The total number registered for all classes was 368 with 207 passing the required tests in their respective groups. This is approximately 60 more successful candidates than last year. It is a remarkable record and manifests very definitely the competent and efficient work done by our Life
143
Guards. The classes in Water Safety are Beginners, Swim- mers, Intermediates, Junior and Senior Life Saving, Adult Swimming and Advanced Swimming.
Bus Service from Shawsheen, Ballardvale and Andover Square started at 9:30 A. M. and continued until 5 P. M. daily. The single bus now in service was taxed to the limit and it appears that if interest in Pomps Pond continues and with the rapidly rising youth population, another bus may have to be added in the not too distant future. The present raft which has been in use for a long time must be replaced. Steps have been taken to install a larger and safer one and durable enough to last for many years. The American Le- gion, Post #8, under Community Service, assisted our Life Guard Staff in terracing the beach. This not only added beau- ty to the surroundings but also added more space for sun bathing and was a tremendous bulwark against the recent hurricanes. Without the terraces our sloping beach might have been washed into the pond. On Sundays the crowds were so large, we were forced to hire a police officer to res- trict non-residents and to handle traffic in our congested parking areas. One of the most beneficial contributions to our Water Safety program is the awarding of scholarships to the National Aquatic School, South Hanson, Mass., each year by the local Red Cross Chapter and we are most grate- ful for their assistance.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
The skating area in Ballardvale is the only one which is really capable of offering this outdoor activity. The area at Central is very inadequate and our efforts to improve it have been held in abeyance pending more definite information on the proposed playstead development of the land recently ac- quired by the town. At best, skating, in our changeable winter weather, is very difficult to maintain. Our committee hopes to be able to meet this problem at Central and provide a more suitable and evenly graded surface next year.
EASTER AND HALLOWEEN
The annual Easter Egg Hunt was held on Easter Satur- day in the Park and enjoyed by the usual large number of
144
children and their parents. This year, Halloween Parties were held at Memorial Auditorium, Ballardvale Community Hall, West Center Elementary School, and North District Community Center. These annual events are permanent fea- tures of our program and bring much enjoyment to the children and a sense of pride to our community.
For several years local civic, patriotic, municipal, veteran and social groups have sent contributions to our Easter Egg Hunt and Halloween Parties. Without this support our com- mittee could not have carried out these off-season activities so successfully.
To the Andover Sportsmen's Club, the Andover Youth Center, the Andover Teacher's Association, the Andover Service Club, the Andover Fire and Police Departments, Central Elementary P. T. A., A. & P. Food Store, St. Au- gustine's School Guild, Post #2128 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chapter #18 Disabled Veterans of America, Ameri- can Legion All Women's Post #427, American Legion Post #8, Post #2128 V. F. W. Auxiliary, and Post #8 Ameri- can Legion Auxiliary, our appreciation for their generosity and their service to the Youth Program.
The cooperative attitude of the Selectmen and of the Police and Fire Departments and their Auxiliary units, along with the help of the personnel in other town departments was most encouraging during the year. To all, our sincere thanks and grateful appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE STANLEY, JR., Chairman
WALTER PEARSON
BART F. SMALLEY
L. GLENN YEATON
FRANCIS P. MARKEY, Secretary
145
Report of The Special Committee On Water and Sewerage for 1954
Your committee has been in close touch with the Depart- ment of Public Works during the year and has continued to study the important problems concerned with our water supply. Because of the very expensive plans in other fields, the Committee has not presented any articles for the Town Warrant. The Committee agrees with the Board of Public Works in recommending a continuation of the program for purchasing land around Haggetts Pond and the development of our supply. The heavy rainfall of 1954 made it possible for the first time in several years for the Pond to show a gain in water level during the year. The continued additions to our distribution system make it certain that we will very soon draw more than Haggetts Pond at its present level can supply.
The new pump and the cleaning of the 10" high service main have temporarily strengthened this important part of our system, but the rapid growth along this high service will make further additions and replacements necessary in the near future. In the center of the town, our many old 6" lines are growing altogether insufficient for their present demand.
All these considerations will make it imperative very soon that the Town appropriate large sums for its water system.
The Ballardvale Sewage Treatment Plant has been com- pleted during the year, and when the necessary connections are made, the very serious problems in this district of the Town will be met. Many large areas of the Town will need strengthening of the present sewerage system soon. The present lines through the Square are close to capacity, and diversions must be made very soon. The main line should be adequate for many years to come, but the feeder lines in many areas are near the limit of usefulness. We cannot ex- pect that the growing areas on South Main Street and in
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West Andover can continue to be served by private disposal systems indefinitely, and the Town must face very consider- able expenditures in both areas.
The Committee recommends that the Town continue to ap- propriate funds for the improvement of Haggetts Pond and the usual general appropriation to the Board of Public Works for the improvement of the Water Supply. We hope that the new Planning Board will consider very carefully and soon the problems presented in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. MCCARTHY, Chairman WILLIAM R. EDWARDS SIDNEY P. WHITE
147
Andover Town Infirmary
January 1, 1955
GENTLEMEN :
To the Selectmen of Andover:
The annual report of the Town Infirmary is herewith presented by the matron.
A year ago we had seven regular boarders in our "family". In March we had one addition. In March also, we were able to provide a television set for the use of the folks. It has given a great deal of enjoyment to most of them. In May the annual inspection came. Since we are now under the State Department of Health, we are no longer considered an infirmary although our name remains the same. We are a boarding home for the aged who are able to care for them- selves.
Minor illnesses are cared for by the matron with a doc- tor's supervision. Anything more serious requires hospital- ization. That is the State rule. In June we took care of the unfortunate Whitson family who were burned out in West Andover, losing, all their possessions, but luckily no loss of lives. They were a family of 3 adults and four children and kept the infirmary pretty lively for a week. Neighbors and others provided clothes, furniture and dishes, along with Red Cross managing, and put the family on its feet with living quarters in South Lawrence.
Also in June we lost our oldest member of the family, who died in the Lawrence General Hospital.
July the matron and her family had two weeks vacation and we came back to find another of the family in the hospi- tal. He came home for three or four weeks after two weeks in the hospital, but had to be returned. He was then sent home where he was happy, but died shortly afterwards in September.
148
Our medical expenses have been heavy this past year. We now have six patients all in practical good health at the present time.
During the year we've had the necessary repairs done and of course Carol and Edna took their toll here as well as all over Andover. Our only beautiful shade tree was split by Carol and could not be saved. Anyone wishing a huge oak log for lumber may have the same by coming to haul it away !
In November a long needed job of painting basement walls and floors was done by a local contractor.
A new vacuum cleaner has been purchased. At the mo- ment the two largest projects for the infirmary are new screens all over the house and something very definite done about the road washing over the "lawn" in front of the home. Since nearly all screens have to be replaced, I will be pre- sumptuous enough to suggest combination storm and screen, 3 or 4 channel, windows for the entire house. The loss of heat through warped window frames and doors is terrific.
I wish to thank Mr. Collins and Mr. Lindsay for interced- ing during the hurricanes when we were without power, heat, hot water and lights, and refrigeration for more than a week. To Mr. White thank you for plowing us out as quick- ly as possible whenever we have snow.
At Christmas the folks were most generously remembered with gifts, parties and hundreds of cards by the Abbot Academy Christian Association, the November Club, Junior Garden Club, Service Club and Junior Red Cross of Pun- chard High School, Courteous Circle of King's Daughters and many kind neighbors and friends. Carolers from several churches came on evenings before Christmas.
Very Truly yours,
JEAN E. WEEKS, Matron
149
Fire Department
Board of Selectmen Town Hall Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit my fourteenth annual report as Chief of the Andover Fire Department.
During the year 1954 the department answered the fol- lowing alarms : 48 bell, 176 still, 1 false, Total 225.
Value of buildings where fires occurred was $95,696.
Loss in buildings where fires occurred was $26,543.
Ambulance calls for the year totalled 665.
Oil burners and oil tanks inspected 980. Liquid petroleum gas 51 and fire prevention inspections in buildings 53. Total inspections 1084.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD BUCHAN, Chief Andover Fire Dept. Andover, Mass.
150
Police Department
To the Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts
January 14, 1955
GENTLEMEN :
I submit a summary of the activities of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1954.
ARREST AND CHARGES
Drunkenness
65
Speeding
30
Operating Under Influence of Liquor
20
Leaving Scene of Accident
1
Operating after Suspension of License
2
Operating without a License
5
Operating without License and Registration in Possession
Operating to Endanger
2 4 3
Operating after Revocation
Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle
1
Unlawful use of Automobile
2
Failure to keep right of traveled way
1
Giving False Name
2
Failure to Stop for Officer in Uniform
2
Breaking and Entering
10
Larceny
6
Non Support
3
Delinquent Child
8
Assault and Battery
1 1
Vagrancy
2
Lewdness
Assault to Rape
1 1 4
Extortation
Fugitive from Justice
.1
A. W. O. L.
.)
151
Larceny by Check
Capias Default Warrant Selling Leased Property Disposal of Rubbish on Public Way
1
1
1
1
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Convicted in District Court
130
On File
19
Probation
15
Released by Probation Officer
42
Dismissed
3
Turned over to Out of Town Police
4
Turned over to army authorities
2
Sentenced to State Prison
1
Sentenced to House of Correction
8
Turned over to Youth Service Board
3
Default
2
Restitution
1
Grand Jury
1
Appealed
3
Sent to Tewksbury
1
Miscellaneous Complaints Received and Investigated
585
Summons served for out of Town Police
182
Automobiles Stolen in Andover
4
Automobiles recovered in Andover
4
Bicycles Stolen in Andover
12
Bicycles recovered in Andover
13
Breaks in Camps and Dwellings
24
Doors in Business District found open and secured
148
Lost Children returned to Parents
19
Runaway Children returned to Parents and Institutions
8
Dogs Killed by Automobiles
26
Dogs Injured by Automobiles
51
Street Lights reported to Lawrence Electric Co.
907
Dogs lost and returned to owner
25
Number of persons bitten by dogs 66
Board of Health and animal Inspector notified on dog bites 66
Cattle lost and returned to owner
3
Suicides reported and investigated by Police 1
152
RATES ACUDENT MAP
ME TIEN
NORTH
ANDOVER
Hugget! » Pond
Faster . Pond
MAP 01 THE TOWN 01 ANDOVER. MASS.
PEDESTRIAN
FERSOMAL INTŲU
1950
PROPERTY DAMAGE 1 30
WILMINGTON
FATAL
.1 .. . . ..........
TEWKSBURY
٠
Attempted Suicides reported and investigated by Police 1
Persons notified for Out of Town Police 39
Dwellings inspected while owners away 276
Articles found and returned to owner 20
Summons served on local complaints in Andover 9
Missing persons reported, Located and Returned 7
Highway conditions reported to B. P. W. 63
Water Leaks in Street reported by Police to B. P. W. 3
Persons taken to Danvers State Hospital
7
Mental Patients picked up and returned to Institutions
2
Persons taken to Hospital in Cruiser
20
Hens killed by dogs
29
Ducks killed by dogs
2
Sheep killed by dogs
6
Bell Alarms of Fire covered by Police
47
Arrests made for out of town Police
2
Breaks in Business District 8
During the year 1954 there were 151 reportable traffic accidents in Andover. Reportable accidents include fatal ac- cidents, personal injury, accidents, and property damage where damage to one or more vehicles or other property amounts to more than $100.00. A breakdown of the accident total shows the following information :
Fatal accidents
1
Personal Injury 62
8
Bicycle, Motor Vehicle
9
Property Damage
71
A study of the Traffic Accident Map maintained at the Police Station shows that about 1/3 of the total accidents reported happened within a 1/2 mile radius of Andover Square. In fact 54 accidents were reported in that area as follows :
Fatal
1
Personal Injury
13
Pedestrian
6
Bicycle, Motor Vehicle
3
Property Damage
31
153
Pedestrian
Within that area, of the 54 accidents, 22 of them occurred on Route 28. A further study of the Accident Map shows that 53 of the total accidents reported in Andover occurred on Route 28 from the North Reading line to the Lawrence line. Within a 1/2 mile radius of Shawsheen Square there were 19 accidents reported as follows :
Personal Injury 10
Property Damage
8
Bicycle, Motor Vehicle 1
Thus it can be seen that a majority of the accidents occur in the heavily congested areas and along the much-travelled Route 28. According to statistics, too great a speed for traffic conditions is responsible for about 70% of all accidents. It seems evident that in order to reduce Andover's traffic acci- dents it will be necessary to reduce the speed of vehicles in our danger zones. This can be done somewhat by traffic signs placed at strategic spots warning motorists of hazards, but without proper enforcement, the signs do not carry much weight. Andover has no officer assigned specifically to traffic enforcement, but as the town grows the need for such an officer will be greater.
During 1954 a total of 320 motor vehicles violation notices were sent to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Most of these notices were for speeding violations for which the offenders received warning letters from the Registry or their license was suspended or revoked. Also during the past year 1114 vehicles were tagged for illegal parking. Due to the custom of allowing the first violation to be a warning from this de- partment, only 69 were given the official warning notice of multiple offenders. The latter warning necessitates the re- turning of the violation notice to the clerk of the Lawrence District Court within 21 days of the offense.
Another growing phase of police work in town is the school safety program. This includes the school patrols and other items connected with safeguarding the safety of the school children. Over 2000 pamphlets dealing with safety procedures for both parents and children were distributed through the schools. Also during the school year several
154
safety talks were given by the school safety officer. With the assistance of the school teachers, 1775 bicycles were register- ed in accordance with the law accepted at the last Town Meeting.
Andover is a growing community, and I hope that the town officials and the townspeople will allow the Police De- partment to grow with it, both in man power and equipment.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID L. NICOLL, Chief of Police
DOG OFFICER
To the Board of Selectmen,
Andover, Massachusetts
January 20, 1955
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my annual report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Total number of dogs licensed in Andover 1334
Total number of Kennel licenses in Andover 24
Complaints received and investigated regarding dogs 57
Number of dog bites received and investigated 66
Number of dog bites reported to the Board of Health 66
Stray dogs picked up and cared for
53
Dogs reported lost by owners 106
Number of lost dogs returned to owners 83
Dogs struck and injured by autos
51
Dogs struck and killed by autos
26
Dogs struck and killed by trains
2
Dogs destroyed by Police
5
Dead dogs removed from highways
11
Number of hens killed by dogs
29
Number of ducks killed by dogs
2
Number of sheep killed by dogs
6
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM R. HICKEY, Dog Officer
155
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
January 4, 1955
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 1954 :
1954
1953
1952
Dog Bite
66
46
33
Tuberculosis
4
1
5
Scarlet Fever
16
5
2
Chicken Pox
24
97
14
Whooping Cough
14
12
19
Measles
17
27
148
Mumps
107
22
52
Syphilis
0
1
1
Gonorrhea
0
0
1
Infectious Jaundice
0
0
0
Meningitis O. F.
0
1
0
Anterio Poliomyelitis
2
0
0
German Measles
1
12
12
Typhoid Fever
0
1
1
Unduland Fever
0
0
1
Totals
251
225
289
Deaths from Contagious Diseases
Influenza Meningitis
0
0
0
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
0
1
2
Totals
0
1
2
In 1955, Andover will continue to hold free clinics. Among these will be Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid innoculations for children entering school, the Baby Clinic and the Anti- Rabic Clinic for Dogs.
Respectfully submitted,
LOTTA M. JOHNSON, R. N., R. S.
156
Milk Inspector's Report
To the Townspeople of Andover:
I submit herewith the brief report of the activities of mv office for the year ending December 31st 1954.
The following licenses were granted in this town. Fees for these licenses have been turned over to the Town Trea- surer whose receipt I hold.
Milk and Cream-63 (One less than in 1953) Oleomargerine-21 (One less than in 1953)
Ice cream and Frozen Desserts (Manufacturers-3
Pasteurization-6
The distribution of the milk and cream licenses is as follows :
Distributors (delivering from trucks) -26
Retailers-22 Restaurants-16
During the year a number of inspection trips were made to the various establishments that were licensed by this office. It was neccesary to severly reprimand one producer for lack of cleanliness in his establishment. I am happy to say that the individual cooperated with us and that he now has a clean establishment. We are particularly fussy about keeping flies out of rooms where milk is produced. All deal- ers must cooperate in this matter.
As this town increases in size the duties of all individuals connected with public health correspondingly increase. The periodic inspection trips and evaluation of milk samples made by this office must be supplemented by cooperation of the townspeople. Your cooperation in this matter is respect- fully solicited.
Respectfully,
ROBERT A. WALSH, Milk Inspector
157
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen : Town of Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit to your Board my report for the year ending December 31, 1954.
There were Two Hundred and Thirty Six (236) permits issued for construction of New Buildings, and One Hundred and Twenty permits (120) for Additions and Alterations.
The estimated value for New Construction reached a total of Two Million Seven Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,794,850.00) and One Hun- dred and Thirty Eight Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars ($138,975.00) for Additions and Alterations.
The total estimated building cost Two Million Nine Hun- dred Thirty Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars ($2,933,825.00). Of this total Two Million Seven Hundred Fifty Two Thousand and Fifty Dollars ($2,752,050.00) was to be spent on construction of New Dwellings.
Seven (7) additional apartments were provided by addi- tions and alterations in existing dwellings during the past year, thereby bringing the New Dwelling count for 1954 to One Hundred and Ninety Nine (199) housing units.
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