USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1950-1954 > Part 7
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Assistant Librarian
Children's Librarian
2806.00 to 3066.00
Catalogue and Reference
2586.00 to 2846.00
Secretary and Assistant
1638.02 to 1846.00
133
Janitor
$2556.00 to $2660.00
Part time Assistant Librarian (1) Ballardvale Librarian
Ballardvale Janitor
1.00 to 1. 1212 per hr. 600.00 to 660. 00 annually 260.00 to 286.00
Chairman of Selectmen Selectman
400.00 to 800.00
300.00 to 600.00
Selectman Board of Public Works, Chairman
300.00 to 600.00
300.00
134
Report of Recreation Committee
The Andover Recreation Committee submits its report for the year 1950:
PLAYGROUNDS
This division of recreation was supervised by Mr. James D. Doherty, with an assistant supervisor and twelve instructors. The system now operates five playgrounds; Central at Stowe School; Shawsheen at Richardson School; West Andover at West Center School; Indian Ridge School and Ballardvale.
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
Central
13862
Shawsheen
2834
Ballardvale
8753
West Center
2481
Indian Ridge
5271
The usual program of activities was carried out including many special contests and exhibitions of handicraft work. Three hund- red and twenty-seven children attended the Annual Picnic at Canobie Lake Park. The Easter Egg Hunt was revived after a lapse of fifteen years and it was a most welcome and successful event. It was held on Easter Saturday afternoon in the Park and attracted over one thousand children who picked up more than 11,000 candy packages in less than three minutes. The second Annual Hallowe'en Party was a gala event and an added attrac- tion this year was a parade of the children up Main Street to the Memorial Auditorium where twelve hundred children enjoyed an entertainment followed by refreshments.
ยท
SWIMMING AT POMP'S POND
This division was supervised by Mr. Donald D. Dunn, physical educator in the Public Schools. He was assisted by five instructors and a matron. The season was of nine weeks duration during which time a complete water safety program was conducted. Several highly successful water exhibitions of various phases of this work were given and the year was the most beneficial and en-
135
joyable to date. Provisions have been made for playing games, and tables and benches encourage cookouts and picnics for the parents as well as the children. Daily classes for beginners, swimmers, intermediates and advanced swimmers were held as well as classes for Junior and Senior Water Safety Certificates. Pomp's Pond is constantly improving and the entire staff has been very cooper- ative and enthusiastic about giving Andover one of the best swim- ming spots in this vicinity.
SKATING
A new skating area, provided with flood lights, was sponsored in Ballardvale. The periods of skating have not been too numerous to date, but when weather permitted, both Ballardvale and the Playstead areas offered thorough enjoyment to large attendances.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Recreation Committee wishes to express sincere thanks to the following: Mr. Irving E. Rogers of the Andover Townsman for the souvenir baseballs for the winning baseball team in the playground league; Mr. Maurice Holland of Canobie Lake Park for his generous cooperation to the children at the annual picnic; Mr. Jerome Cross of the Cross Coal Co. for his monetary assist- ance in the transportation of the children to Pomp's Pond; the several civic organizations and groups for the contributions to the Easter Egg Hunt and the Hallowe'en Party and the Brothers of The Sacred Heart School for their generosity in allowing our children to use their skating rink.
Even though there are many improvements on the playgrounds and at Pomp's Pond which the committee would like to see de- veloped, they are pleased to state that this year they will not ask for any increase in the budget.
- 4
STAFFORD A. LINDSAY, Chairman FRANK L. CAVERLY, Chairman ALAN F. DUNLOP ALCO E. TAYLOR GEORGE A. STANLEY, JR.
136
Report of Special Committee on Water and Sewerage
Your committee feels in view of present conditions that it should not recommend any major projects this year in connection with either the water or the sewerage systems. We hope that the Town will continue to realize the necessity of the improvements previously recommended, including additional reservoir capacity, another line from Phillips Street to the low service reservoir, and major replacements and additions to the high service system.
Your committee, however, believes that the Town should con- tinue its practice of the past few years in appropriating a sum of money to be used by the Board of Public Works with the approval of the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. And we specifically recommend that the Town this year carry over the balance of the appropriation of last year and in addition appro- priate $12,000 for the purpose of general improvements to the water system.
While the committee does not recommend any action this year in regard to the Ballardvale sewer, we feel that the urgent need . of this improvement should be kept in mind, and that the sewer should be constructed as soon as possible.
WILLIAM R. EDWARDS SIDNEY P. WHITE JOSEPH A. MCCARTHY
July 21, 1950
137
Andover Town Infirmary
January 1, 1951
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
The annual report of the matron of the Town Infirmary is given herewith :
During the past year 17 adult persons and one child have been housed at the Infirmary, either temporarily or permanently. A woman with her baby were given shelter overnight as her funds had run out so that she had to wait for her husband to come and take her and the baby to their new home. Another old lady was given a two-weeks rest at the home and two men were given tem- porary shelter until they were able to work again. Another man who needed nursing care was taken to a nursing home, and one of the permanent residents suddenly developed a mania and had to be taken away. At present there are 11 persons at the Infirmary. All are in fairly good health in consideration of their age, and while one was in the Lawrence General Hospital when this report was written, we expect her home in a few days. During October several suffered a slight attack of the 24-hour grippe which seemed to be prevalent at the time, the matron having the worst case of it, but so far no more colds have developed.
The insulation of the attic was done during the winter of 1949- 50, and has made quite a difference in the conditioning of the rooms. During last fall the men's floor, cellar, and laundry were painted and it is proposed to do the women's floor this spring when the windows can be opened to let out the smell of paint. The outside of the house should be painted this year. A slight fire which caused very little damage except to two or three dry- as-dust shingles on the barn, was put out by the prompt arrival of the firemen. This was in October which was very dry. The house is surrounded by oak trees and evergreens and these should be thinned out and cleared away. The barn either should be sold, or shingled with asbestos shingles, and the building beside the garage should also be torn down, as it is falling down now. The barn, if sold, would make a very good house for someone who
138
could either do the work himself or would have a little money to lay out on it.
The state inspector, Mrs. Doyle, gave a very good report of the conditions at the Infirmary, and those who have visited it for the first time always remark as to its cleanliness in upkeep. While we have a woman come in two or three days to help with the clean- ing, this condition is in a good part due to one of the women who lives here. She, however, is not able to do the work she formerly did, and as there are more inmates now, there should be more help.
At Thanksgiving and Christmas we had our usual turkeys and Christmas tree with gifts for all. The folks were well remembered by the Abbot Christian Association, the November Club, King's Daughters, and individuals, so that everyone had a pleasant time.
Number of Inmates, January 1, 1950 9
Number admitted during year
8
Number discharged during year 6
Number of Inmates, January 1, 1951
11
Number between 50 and 60 years
2
Number between 60 and 70 years
2
Number between 70 and 80 years
5
Number between 80 and 90 years
2
Respectfully submitted,
MARY C. EDMANDS, Matron
139
Fire Department
January 31, 1951
To the Board of Selectmen,
Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit my tenth annual report as Chief of the Andover Fire Department.
During the year 1950 the department answered the following alarms: 68 bell, 240 still, total 308.
Assessed value of buildings where fires occurred-$124,805.
Loss in buildings where fires occurred-$26,752.
Ambulance calls for the year totalled 577, of which 502 were answered by the Cadillac ambulance, 21 by the Henney ambu- lance, 32 by the Chief's car, 17 by Lieutenant Cole's car, 3 by Frances Sparks' car, 1 by Deputy Cole's car and 1 by the North Andover ambulance.
Oil burners, oil tanks, liquid petroleum gas and other inspec- tions totalled 934.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD BUCHAN, Chief Andover Fire Department Andover, Mass.
140
Police Department
January 24, 1951
Board of Selectmen
Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1950.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. DANE, Chief of Police
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Convicted in District Court
55
Convicted in Andover Trial Justice Court
157
On File - District Court 11
On File-Trial Justice
13
Released by Probation Officer
39
Dismissed
1
Turned Over to Out of Town Police
4
Turned Over to Army Authorities
1
Turned Over to Out of State Police
5
Sentenced to House of Correction
11
Fines Paid in District Court
$1577.00
Fines Paid in Trial Justice Court
$1005.00
Miscellaneous complaints received and investigated
393
Summons served for out of town police
47
Automobiles stolen in Andover
4
Automobiles recovered in Andover
7
Bicycles stolen in Andover
18
Bicycles recovered in Andover
20
Breaks in camps and dwellings
3
Doors in business district found open and secured
84
Lost children returned to parents 3
Runaway children returned to parents or institutions
11
Dogs killed by automobiles
21
Dogs gassed by police 3
141
Street lights reported out to Lawrence Gas Company 662
Dogs lost and returned to owner 9
Number of persons bitten by dogs 29
Board of Health and Animal Inspector notified on dog bites 29
Cattle lost and returned to owners 2
Dead bodies cared for by police 6
Suicides reported and investigated by police
4
Persons notified for out of town police
17
Murder
1
Tramps put up for night in lock up
2
Dwelling houses inspected while owners away
148
Articles found and returned to owners
16
Summons served on local complaints in Andover
16
Missing persons reported, located and returned
5
Highway conditions reported to B.P.W. 8
Tree Dept. notified of limbs and trees down in streets
2
Persons taken to Danvers State Hospital by police
8
Persons taken to hospital by police in cruisers
5
Hens killed by dogs, investigated by police
804
False alarms investigated by police
4
Bell alarms covered by police
54
Burglar alarms set off and investigated by police
9
Autos ordered towed to garage
7
Cards sent to Registry of Motor Vehicles on motor violations 227
Arrests made for out of town police 5
Breaks-business district 5
License to operate motor vehicle suspended or revoked by Registry of Motor Vehicles for violations in Andover Residents of Andover 46
Non Residents of Andover 28
Fatal automobile accidents
8
142
ARRESTS AND CHARGES BY AGE AND SEX
Classification of
Offenses
Total M F
Both Sexes
Under 18 (Juveniles) M F
18
19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44 45 and over
MFMFMFMFMFMF MF MF
Armed Robbery
3
3
3
Burglary-B & E
5
5
3
2
Larceny-Theft
7
7
4
2
1
Auto Theft
7
7
3
4
Sex Offenses
4
4
2
1
1
Drunkenness
60
5
65
9
4 1
4
5 3
19
19
1
Disorderly Conduct
2
2
Speeding
131
7 138
3
5
7 1 38
1 26
15
3
8
9
20 2
Auto Laws
52
52
1
2
3
21
10
4
4
3
4
Non Support
4
4
1
1
1
1
Op. Under Influence
14
14
3
4
1
1
5
Op. to Endanger
5
5
2
1
1
1
Affray
2
2
1
1
-
-
-
.
Total Arrests 1950-263 This figure will not agree with above as some arrests had more than one charge.
143
2
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
January 2, 1951
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 1950:
1950
1949
1948
Diphtheria
0
0
0
Incephalitis
0
0
1
Dog Bite
26
39
30
Tuberculosis
3
1
7
Scarlet Fever
17
5
3
Chicken Pox
82
116
22
Whooping Cough
12
4
43
Measles
2
257
61
Mumps
6
79
12
Syphilis
3
3
2
Gonorrhea
0
1
0
Infectious jaundice
1
0
0
Meningitis O.F.
0
0
1
Anterior Poliomyelitis
2
2
1
Salmonella
0
2
0
German Measles
2
7
0
Totals
156
516
183
Deaths from Contagious Diseases
Lobar Pneumonia
0
0
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
2
1
1
Bacillary Dysentery
0
0
0
Totals
2
1
2
In 1951, 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., R.S.
144
Milk Inspector's Report
To the Andover Board of Health and Andover Townspeople:
I submit herewith a brief summary of the activities of my office for the year ending December 31, 1950.
The following licenses were granted after the inspection of pro- cessing plants and storage facilities:
Milk and Cream-69 (an increase of 4 over 1949)
Oleomargarine-16 (an increase of 1 over 1949)
Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts -4 (same as last year) Pasteurization of milk-5 (same as last year)
Fees for all of the above licenses have been collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer whose receipt I hold.
During the year 65 samples of milk and 12 samples of cream were tested for butterfat and total solids content. Some of these samples were also tested for bacteria content and added water, at my Boston laboratory without added cost to the Town. All samples were up to standards and all producers and distributors were given reports on the tests made on their products.
Periodic inspections have been made of places coming under my jurisdiction. Suggestions were made to several pasteurizers relative to decreasing the number of insects by adequate screening. Excellent cooperation was given by all to whom suggestions were made.
Looking forward, your Milk Inspector hopes that everyone in . this Town will cooperate to keep all of our potential sources of disease under full control. While milk is our most perfect food, it can also be our most dangerous food. All citizens should report any suspected infraction of the milk and cream laws to this office at once. It is the duty of all toguard the health of our townspeople.
Respectfully, ROBERT A. WALSH,
Milk Inspector
145
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen : Town of Andover, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :
I submit herewith my report of the activities of this Depart- ment during the year of 1950.
There have been two hundred and three permits for new build- ings and ninety-three permits for additions and alterations issued. The estimated building cost of new buildings total was two mil- lion five hundred thirty-three thousand five hundred dollars ($2,533,500.00) and an estimated building cost for additions and alterations of one hundred forty-three thousand one hundred fifty dollars ($143,150.00) making a total of two million six hund- red seventy-six thousand six hundred fifty dollars ($2,676,650.00).
The new building permits are classified as follows:
Single Residences
130
Single Garages
17
2 Car Garages
11
3 Car Garages
2
Trailer Residences
2
Camps
5
Office and Tool House
1
Manufacturing and Sales Room
1
Bee Storage and Tool House
1
Tool Houses
3
Greenhouse and Heating Plant
1
Road Side Stand
1
Grain Shed
1 2
Storage Room
Cellars
Wood Shed
3 1
Work Shop
1
Produce and Sales Building
1
Gymnasium
1
Skating Rink
1
Freezing Plant
1
146
Silos Sun Porch Pig Shelters Chicken Houses
2
2
5 10
Total 203
This Department has collected in fees and turned over to the Town Treasurer Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Seven Dollars ($2,937.00).
I have made Eleven Hundred and Seventy-Two (1172) inspec- tions during the past year.
Respectfully yours,
RALPH W. COLEMAN, Building Inspector
Report of Wire Inspector
January 11, 1951
Board of Selectmen
Town of Andover, Massachusetts
.DEAR SIRS:
I hereby submit my report for electrical inspections covered by me for the year 1950.
Total wiring inspection
553
Fixtures
76
Total 629
Amount collected and turned over to Treasurer, Town of Andover, $629.00.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. YOUNG, Inspector of Wires
147
Sealer of Weights and Measures
December 31, 1950.
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1950:
SCALES
Adjusted
Sealed Condem.
Platform over 10,000
4
5000 to 10,000
1
100 to 5000
39
115
under 100
12
102
1
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Weights
214
Linear measures
10
Vehicle tanks (bulk)
1 (2990 gals.)
Gasoline pumps
3
52
Vehicle tank systems
2
10
1
Other automatic liquid measure
1
67
OTHER WORK PERFORMED
Complaints investigated 9
Trial weighings and measurement of commodities sold or put up for sale
371
Other inspections: Pedlars, oil and coal certificates, food packages, etc. 461
Court cases
1
Total collections from January 1, 1950 to December 31, 1950 were $323.80 (three hundred twenty-three dollars and eighty cents).
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH SERIO, Sealer
148
Report of Tree Warden
January 1, 1951 To the Citizens of Andover:
Great interest was shown last spring in the planting of new trees along our streets. Besides the trees furnished by the town, the Andover Garden Club generously gave twenty-six splendid young trees to replace trees removed in recent years. A plan to keep Andover beautiful for the enjoyment of future generations.
Our public trees produced an abundance of leaves in the spring, but were not able to support them all during the dry summer. The leaves showed dryness and many dropped early. The continued dry weather through 1950 seriously affected the health of many public trees. The lowering of the water table affected the root system, which in turn weakened the trees and caused many branches to die back.
Many public trees on our streets were fed through the leaves by spraying them with a specially prepared tree food. Young trees were watered by the tree department in the summer by pumping the liquid into the ground from our spraying machine. Many citizens also assisted by watering trees in front of their property.
The A.V.I.S. generously furnished the Tree Warden with nearly $500.00 worth of chemicals for the destruction of poison ivy along our roadsides. This work should be continued each year to keep the poison ivy from again obtaining a foothold.
Our tractor mower covered practically all our roadsides, cutting grass, weeds and brush next to the traveled way, improving them as to appearance and as a convenience to travel, greatly appre- ciated by many citizens, and an improvement highly commended by visitors from other communities.
Our tractor mower has done very strenuous work in accom- plishing this much desired improvement; parts have become worn and I recommend replacement of this unit by a modern machine, as parts on the old machine break and long delays are caused waiting for replacement parts, sometimes for many weeks.
I recommend the purchase of a 4 H.P. and a 7 H.P. chain saw to replace our old saw which should be turned in as part payment.
149
Tree removal has increased greatly, due to the destructive Dutch elm disease.
Nine high wind storms and a sleet storm tore many branches from the trees, causing much extra tree repair work and time consumed in removing debris from the streets. Climaxing these storms was one of hurricane force on the afternoon and night of November 25th which caused the loss of twenty public trees. Electric light wires and telephone lines were blown down while rain driven by the hurricane winds made it next to impossible to carry on at times during the night. These storms disrupted plans for tree improvement work and delayed all regular tree work.
I recommend that $12,350.00 be appropriated to carry on the regular work in the Tree Warden's Department in 1951. Such a budget provides for the following :
Warden's Salary
$1904.00
Labor (3 men)
9026.16
Gasoline, Oil, Tractor, Power Saw and Truck Maintenance
685.00
Rent of Shop and Garage
210.00
Hardware and Tools
200.00
Trees, Loam and Fertilizer
190.00
Telephone, Printing and all other items
134.84
$12,350.00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Tree Warden
150
Report of Moth Superintendent
January 1, 1951
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
By Acts of the Legislature in 1948 and 1949, control of leaf eating insects increased from three species to seven. The season of control, by spraying, May through July, is now extended from April through September.
The law also authorizes the Moth Superintendent to prune public elm trees and requires removal of all elm trees proven by laboratory test to have the Dutch elm disease, whether on public property or on private property within 500 feet of public property.
To carry on this work it is necessary to follow out a control program:
1. Scouting for suspected infected trees.
2. Taking samples from suspected trees, and sending them to the shade tree laboratory at Amherst. Taking samples often requires climbing to branches high in the trees.
3. Removal and burning of elms proven by laboratory test to have the disease.
a. Public trees.
b. Private trees within 500 feet of public property.
4. Spraying elms 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 places where the elm bark beetles might find shelter to complete their life cycle and cause possible infection to other trees.
6. Removal and burning freshly cut elm wood and elm piles left in the open with bark on.
In our control work against the elm bark beetle and the dis- eased trees the above program was carried out as nearly as possible.
Pruning large elm trees is slow, expensive work and only a limited number can be pruned with funds available.
Spraying against the elm bark beetle started early in April. Spray against the elm leaf beetle in late May and early June is also a help against the elm bark beetle.
151
Another spray in late July was given the elms, and this spray helped control early emerging fall web worms.
The first diseased tree was found in early June on Holt Road. Many samples were sent to the laboratory in July, August and September. Fifty-four elm trees proved to have the disease, ranging in size from clumps two inches in diameter up to a single tree on Lowell Street eight feet in diameter.
The year 1950 proved to be ideal for the spread of the disease. The trees weakened by long, dry weather were less able to resist infection. The greatest number of diseased elms were in the Shawsheen area where the disease was first found but other parts of the town also suffered loss.
Greater effort is needed to check and retard this disease which since 1946 has gained a strong foothold. -
By a vote at the last annual town meeting I was enabled to use funds in seeking information outside the Commonwealth. I attended the National Shade Tree Conference in Syracuse, New York, in August, where reports were given by National research men. Meetings and exhibitions of insects and tree diseases at the New York State College of Forestry and demonstrations of equipment at Thornden Park were especially notable. Shade tree men from all parts of the United States and Canada at- tended. A former Andover man operates a large shade tree service company in Syracuse and served on one of the committees at the Conference.
Dr. May reported that injections of chemicals to elm trees or feeding them through the soil that gave good promise of prevent- ing the Dutch elm disease in 1949 did not stand up in 1950.
Illustrations were shown of the different ways the Dutch elm disease first indicated itself, and could be used to detect diseased trees in the early stages.
Under Chapter 761 the town is required to continue work on control of the Dutch elm disease. A separate appropriation is re- quired to be made for this work. I recommend that $4,166.50 be appropriated at the annual town meeting. For the regular Moth Department appropriation against leaf chewing insects I recommend that $8,364.00 be appropriated.
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Moth Superintendent
152
Town of Andover - Jury List JUNE, 1950
Adams, George J.
Cable Splicer
28 Pasho St.
Anderson, Ernest E.
Farmer
Ballardvale Rd.
Avery, John
Civil Engineer
36 Morton St.
Babb, Benjamin
Overseer 52 Balmoral St.
Bachman, Herbert L.
Janitor
18 Stratford Rd.
Baldwin, James R.
Civil Engineer
19 William St.
Barnard, W. Shirley
Real Estate
12 High St.
Barrett, John S.
Clerk
63 Burnham Rd.
Barrett, Joseph F.
Salesman 102 Chestnut St. Truck Driver 51 Red Spring Rd.
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