USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1955-1959 > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
6.4
Pictures, prints, filmstrips
1
and film slides
2,298)
160,158
The library wishes to call attention to the fact that in addition to books loaned through the school libraries to individual boys and girls, 14,670 books belonging to the school libraries and the Memorial Hall Library were de- posited in classrooms, with each book used from two to twenty times, for an estimated borrowing of 146,700. This figure is lower than last year, because it is more than balanced by the heavy increase (over 200%) in individual borrowing shown above for elementary school libraries.
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
New borrowers registered during year
1,100
578
1,678
Total number of registered borrowers
4,450
2,943
7,393
Circulation per capita (based on
population figures - 14,535 (1955)
11%
159
227
Board of Public Works
Andover, Mass. January 1, 1959
The Board of Public Works voted to adopt the following report of the Superintendents as its report for 1958.
ALEXANDER H. HENDERSON, Chairman ALBERT COLE, JR., Secretary FRANCIS P. REILLY DAVID M. THOMPSON MASON F. ARNOLD
Following the precedent of past years this is a joint report of the overall operation of the Public Works Departments.
A study of the Public Works Departments in relation to establishing a cost accounting system was made and initial steps were taken to establish inventory controls and monthly and yearly comparisons of costs. Several new methods were applied to highways in regard to effi- ciency of men and equipment both in application and savings.
Major changes in the operation of the water and sewer departments are expected to bring in enough rev- enue to pay all costs, with the exception of capitol expenditures, until approximately the year 1962.
We would like to thank all Town Boards and Depart- ments for their cooperation in aiding us in meeting the added demands of constructive improvements.
160
HIGHWAY
The following road surfaces were treated with either tar or asphalt and honed:
Precinct 1 :-- Burnham Road, Carmel Road, part of Elm Street, Cheever Circle, Summer Street, Wolcott Ave. Whittier Street.
Precinct 2 :-- Cuba Street, Red Spring Road, Morraine Street, Lupine Road.
Precinct 3 :-- Canterbury Street, Topping . ad, Princeton Avenue, Sutherland Street.
Precinct 4 :-- Brown Street, Beacon Street from school up, Bailey Road, Blanchard Street, Bellevue Road from Haggetts Pond Road, Fiske Street, Pleasant Street, Greenwood Road, Reservation Road, North Street, Chandler Road.
Precinct 5 :-- Andover Street, Dascomb Road, Clark Road, Hall Avenue and Woburn Street.
Precinct 6 :-- Alderbrook Road, Boston Road, County Road, Rattlesnake Hill Road, Rocky Hill Road, Suncrest Road, Porter Road, Hidden Road.
A total of 111,000 gallons of MC-3 asphalt were used.
An area of Chestnut Street from Morton Street up was resurfaced with asphalt and pea stone mixed in place. Andover Street from Woburn Street to the Shawsheen River was also resurfaced with asphalt and pea stone mixed in place.
The snowfall for the year 1958 was as follows :
January
18.50 inches
February
26.75 inches
March
15.00 inches
April
5.04 inches
November
trace
December
8.75 inches
74.04 inches
The snowfall for the season November 1957 to April 1958 inclusive totaled 74.04 inches.
161
Sidewalks were constructed of bituminous material on the following streets: Andover, Haverhill, Main, one side of Washington Avenue, parts of Burnham Road, Dartmouth Road, North Main, William, Kensington, Poor and Windsor.
The reconstruction and widening of River Street and Highland Road was done to eliminate bad corners. Two catch basins were constructed on Hidden Road and 521 L.F. of 12" R.C.C.P. in place.
Sufficient steel cable and concrete posts were purchased to erect 1650' of guard rail fencing on High Street and Canterbury Street, also replaced many cement posts on River Road.
BRIDGES
The bridges under the control of the Board of Public Works were inspected at various times during the year. The new Ballardvale bridge will be of new con- crete and steel construction, work to start in the Spring of 1959, under Chapter 90 Construction program.
PARKS
There are two regular diamonds at the Central Play- stead, five Little League Fields, two at Central, one at Woburn Street Playground, and two in the rear of the West Center School.
Fertilizer was applied in the Spring and Fall on both the Park and Playstead areas.
The Playstead area has been enlarged and improved together with the cleaning out of a section of Rogers Brook in the same location.
TREE DEPARTMENT
The year 1958 saw a definite increase in Dutch Elm disease in this area, both public and private. Of 128 suspected public elms sampled, 107 proved to be positive and necessitated removal. By December 31, 75 had been taken down and destroyed and the remainder will be cut down and burned by March 1959. An 85-foot truck mounted crane was used in removing the more dangerous elms.
162
Three sprays were applied to the Town elms for con- trol of leaf feeding insects and bark beetles. Town wide spraying was done for control of tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, webworms and other injurious insects.
Poison ivy eradication by chemical spray was con- tinued along roadsides, playgrounds and Pomp's Pond bathing area. Chemical brush control was carried on in areas of heavy roadside growth and brush cutting was continued along country roads and dangerous corners.
A total of 78 shade trees were planted along public streets and on playgrounds. To prevent erosion on road- side banks, 400 Honeysuckle plants were set out.
Regular department work of cabling, pruning, fertilizing, removing low limbs, dead and dangerous trees and branches was continued. Gypsy moth and Dutch Elm scouting was continued in outlying areas.
The Tree Department in conjunction with the Water Department worked on a land clearing project in the Haggetts Pond enlargement area.
NEW EQUIPMENT
Portable emergency generator
$350.10
Gasoline Power Drive for turning sewer rods 395.00
Steam Cleaner 734.95
150 Gallon Steel spray tank
375.13
Back fill tamper
260.00
2 Chain Saws with trade-ins
590.54
1 Chain Saw new 273.28
Water Tapping Machine
2,260.50
1 Hardie Mist Sprayer
2,600.00
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES
During the 1958 season there were 48 full time employees.
· Superintendent of Highway, Park, Tree and Garage Depts.
17 employees on the Highway Department.
3 employees on the Park Department.
6 employees on the Tree Department.
2 employees on Garage Maintenance.
Superintendent of Water and Sewer Depts.
12 employees on the Water Department
2 employees on the Sewer Department
Administration and Office.
1 Office Manager
2 Clerks
1 Senior Engineering Aide
163
WATER SYSTEM
During the year of 1958, the Water Department general improvements proceeded with remarkable effi- ciency. Projects started in 1957 were completed and further improvements were initiated and in most cases finished.
At the beginning of the year the well program had advanced to the stage where the mains had been laid. The Abbot well was running on a temporary in- stallation. During 1958 the well installation was com- pleted. Both wells were put into service and the chem- ical feeding apparatus installed and put into service as soon as possible. With the approval of the proper Town authorities, tests were run on the Ballardvale well #2 site, and with State permission a temporary run on the well was connected to the system.
Contracts were awarded for the installation of a permanent well and at the end of the year the well and well vault had been constructed, 488 feet of 8" pipe was laid for the connection. As soon as the electrical equipment can be obtained, this work will be completed. As a further improvement, a new force main was laid from the intersection of Salem Street and Prospect Road to Pine Street with the small section on Woodland Road being finished as a part of this project. This enabled the department to put Johnson Acres, upper Elm Street and the Braeland Development into the high service sys- tem and thereby increase the pressure and flow in these areas. The Wood Hill Reservoir which was nearly com- pleted in 1957 was finished and the new west district high service.system placed in operation. This also in- creased the pressure and flow in this area, and also in- creased the storage capacity of the water system. A new diesel engine was connected to the large peerless pump, the old boiler and steam turbine were removed, and the Worthington pump was rebuilt and a new electric . motor installed and is now used for Wood Hill. To com- plete the Wood Hill system, a special piping and valving installation was completed outside the Haggetts Pond Station.
At the Bancroft Station, the old Lawrence pump which had been found to be inadequate, was removed and a new pump with motor installed with its electrical con- trols. The existing stand-by engine was reconditioned and equipped with a proper cooling device. An auto- matic pressure control was put into service to keep the supply and pressure in the high service system at the
164
-
proper level under most all conditions. Plans were drawn and a contract awarded for the installation of a contract awarded for the installation of a 10" concrete drain for the Bancroft Reservoir. £ Cold weather stopped this construction. This will also be completed in the Spring.
The water supply was further augmented by improve- ments to the outlet side of Haggetts Pond. A large area was cleared of growth for storage and a contract was awarded for the construction of a dike and an over-flow dam. The severe cold weather stopped this work which cannot be started again until Spring. Through the cooperation of Mr. George Curley of Suburban Excavators Incorporated, another dike was built on the wood road between the pond and the new route #28.
Further work on pipe installations to improving distribution included a tie-in on Elm Street to complete the circulation in Johnson Acres area; a twenty inch main was installed under the new route #28 on Osgood Street at a point where future plans call for such in- stallation. Mechanical joint pipes of the proper sizes were hung on the bridges on High Plain Road, and the River Road, and an entirely different system was laid over the new bridge on route #133.
The telemetering system was greatly improved and brought up to date.
Several special water reports were received by the Department during the year.
The system was further increased by the acceptance of the following new streets:
Carmel Road
530 L.F.
8" C.L.C.I.
Arthur Road
346 L.F.
6" C.L.C.I.
Lockway Road
440 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I. 1 hydrant
Howell Drive
650 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I.
Karlton Circle 1440 L.F.
6 " C.L.C.I.
Kirkland Drive
1584 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I. 2 hydrants
Lucerne Drive
795 L.F.
6 " C.L. C. I.
1 hydrant
Marion Avenue Marilyn Road
932 L.F.
6" C.L.C.I. 1 hydrant
Mary Lou Lane
1150 L.F.
6 " C. L. C. I. 6 " C. L. C. I.
1 hydrant l hydrant
Old South Lane
539 L.F.
Robandy Road
1103 L.F.
6 m C.L.C.I. 3 hydrants
Brookfield Road
1885 L.F.
6" C. L. C. I. 4 hydrants
960 L.F. 6 " C.L.C.I.
1 hydrant
165
Fox Hill Road .
1078 L.F.
6" C.L.C.I. 1 hydrant
Rock Ridge Road
1015 L.F.
6" C.L.C.I. 1 hydrant
Woodcliffe Road
545 L.F.
6" C.L.C.I.
1 hydrant
Stevens Circle
727 L.F. 6" C.L.C.I.
2 hydrants
Total Feet
17319
20 hydrants
Added to the system by contract:
5182 L.F. 12" C.L.C.I.
8 hydrants
2128 L.F. 10" C.L.C.I. 488 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I.
854 L.F.
6" C.L.C. I.
Total 8652 L.F. 8 hydrants
Over 400 new meters were installed during the year.
1958 WATER PUMPING REPORT
HAGGETTS POND PUMPING STATION
395,956,000
ABBOT WELL
102,476,800
BALLARDVALE WELLS NO. 1 and NO. 2 191,034,700
YEARLY TOTAL ALL SOURCES
689,467,500
MINIMUM DAILY PUMPING 1,273,000 December 21
MAXIMUM DAILY PUMPING 4,187,650 July 1
Due to various tests conducted during installation of the well systems, the above well pumping figures are estimated for the months of January, March, April, May and June.
166
SEWERAGE SYSTEM
The Castle Heights and Joyce Terrace sewer was finished and the Juliette Street project completed.
The major work of the year was the construction of the sewers in Shawsheen Hylands with its trunk main through private land and Marwood Drive to Lowell Street. Mains were laid on Arthur Street, Theodore Avenue, Mary Lou Lane, and Marilyn Road and through various easements. This made sewer lines available to over 40 homes and gives an opportunity to serve the west center area of the Town. This installation added 201] feet of 18 inch; 1340 feet of 15 inch; 146 feet of 10 inch and 2561 feet of 8 inch pipe to the sewer system. This work was done under the betterment act and plans were drawn and es- timated assessments computed and filed.
More repairs were made to the Riverina Road Pumping Station.
The blow-off on the main interceptor siphon in Shawsheen Village was replaced. Added to the system by acceptance of new streets were the following: Carmel Road, Howell Drive, Lucerne Drive, Marion Avenue, Brookfield Road, Fox Hill Road, Rock Ridge Road, Wood- cliffe Road, Stevens Circle.
At the beginning of the year two major failures occurred and were repaired. A portion of the outfall sewer was washed away in the area at the end of Crawford Street in South Lawrence. A twenty-foot manhole was re- built and about 400' of 30" main was found to be full and was cleaned.
The main sewer on Lowell Street near the end of Marwood Drive collapsed and had to be replaced.
Two other sections of main sewers were repaired on Riverina and Tantalon Roads.
Fifty individual sewer services were installed.
167
WATER SYSTEM SUMMARY, for year ending December 31st
Year
Received from Water Rates
Net Cost of Maint. inc. Pumping
Direct Cost Pumping
Cost per Mil.Gals.
by total by direct mainten.
pumping
Received per Mil.Gals.
Annual Pumpage No.of all Sources Mil.Gals.
Serv. Pipes In Use
No.of Meters In Use
No. of Hyds.
Miles o f Main Pipe
1940a
$52,241.14
$27,799.18
$15,256.13
$67.04
$36.79
$125.99
414,653
2653
2587
728
79.89
1950b
67,871.62
49,417.39
26,516.09
90.46
48.02
124.24
546,313
3202
3172
815
91.73
1951
63,239.86
51,237.40
25,175.79
97.74
48.54
120.64
524,204
3311
3272
820
92.35
1952
72,972.04
53,356.72
28,583.58
93.34
49.47
126.29
577,800
3376
3338
822
93.34
1953
82,390.94
59,433.18
32,159.51
96.18
52.04
133.34
617,917
3456
3418
829
93.93
1954
83,864.57
59,043.59 65,706.22
25,571.55
112.45
48.70
159.73
525,055
3632
3604
839
95.36
1955
93,229.71
28,456.45
109.69
47.50
155.64
598,780
3788
3737
848
96.21
1956
97,204.97
74,718.23
32,814.99
100.54
50.98
151.00
643,730
3985
3931
857
98.20
1957c
111,032.43c
86,682.67c
39,662.87c
125.03c
57.21c
160.10c
602,690
4120
4068
907
104.67
1958
118,542.87
119,821.11
44,959.25
173.78
65.20
171.90
689,468
4289
4259
938
109.69
168
a. See Annual Report of 1939 for years 1889 through 1939.
b. See Annual Report of 1954 for years 1940 through 1950.
c. Also included in this summary should be 90,577 gals. received from the Abbot Well during the period July 20th through December 31st.
STREET LIGHTING
The following tabulation shows the amount of money that will be required in 1959 to cover costs of street lights installed as of December 31, 1958:
Number
Type
Unit Price
Annual Cost
69
1,000 lumen in. u.g.
$38.
$ 2,622.
807
1,000 lumen in. o.h.
18.
14,526.
47
2,500 lumen in. o.h.
28.
1,316.
29
15,000 lumen mercury, o.h.
95.
2,755.
36
15,000 lumen mercury, u.g.
115.
4,140.
6
60
watt in. u.g.
38.
228.
10
15,000 lumen mercury,
Phillips Academy
289.
3
15,000
lumen mercury,
Phillips Academy
74.
21
21,000
lumen mercury, o.h.
100.
2,100.
1
21,000 lumen mercury, u.g.
120.
120.
6
3,500 lumen mercury, o.h.
40.
240.
1
3,500 lumen mercury, u.g.
60.
60.
$28,470.
Several requests for lights were made at the close of the year and viewing will take place to as- certain how many will be installed ..
Respectfully submitted,
Donald C. Bassett
Stanley Chlebowski
169
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR FUTURE USE
With the approval of the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, and the Planning Board, as provided in Article 14 of the 1957 Town Warrant, the Committee purchased approximately 11.6 acres of land off South Main Street in the vicinity of Rocky Hill Road as a future school site. Approval of the location was obtained from the School Committee.
The following areas remain to be purchased in accordance with Article 14 (1957) :
1. A school site in the general vicinity of Lowell Street and the new Route 28.
2. A fire station site in the same area.
3. A school site in the general vicinity of River Road in West Andover.
4. Recreational area near Pomps Pond.
During the year, many possible sites for the foregoing were inspected and conferences held with the owners. In each case where suitable land was found in a desirable location, the price was higher than the committee felt to be reasonable.
Respectfully submitted,
William V. Emmons Harold Rafton Donald Thompson James H. Eaton, III Robert C. Holland
170
Report of the Director of Accounts
May 14, 1958
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Sidney P. White, Chairman Andover, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Andover for the fiscal year 1957, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws.
This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts
Mr. Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Dear Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Andover for the fiscal year 1957, and submit the following report thereon:
The records of financial transactions of the several de- partments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and checked with the records of the town treasurer and the town accountant.
The books and accounts in the town accountant's office were examined and checked in detail. The receipts, as recorded, were checked with the treasurer's books, while the recorded payments were compared with the treasurer's cash book and with the approved treasury warrants. The appropriations and transfers, as entered, were checked with the town clerk's record of town meeting wotes and with the finance committee's records of transfers authorized from the reserve fund.
171
An analysis was made of the ledger accounts, a trial bal- ance was taken off, and a balance sheet, a copy of which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1957. An examination of this balance sheet indicates that the town is in good financial condition.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were exam- ined and checked. The cash book additions were verified, and the recorded receipts were compared with the town accountant's books, with the records of the several de- partments collecting money for the town, and with other sources from which money is paid into the town treasury. The recorded payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's records.
The cash balance on January 13, 1958 was proved by recon- ciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit, by examination of the certifi- cates of deposit and safekeeping receipts for treasury bills, and by actual count of the cash in the office.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due during the period of the audit and were checked with the cancelled securities and coupons on file. The outstanding coupons on January 13, 1958 were listed and reconciled with the amount on deposit for their payment.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the trust, investment, and retirement funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the trus- tees were personally examined and listed. The income was proved, and all transactions and balances were verified and checked with the books of the town accountant, and, in the case of the retirement funds, with the books of the retirement board. The cash balances in the several trust and retirement funds as of January 13, 1958 were proved by reconciling the bank balances with statement furnished by the banks of deposit and by actual count of the cash on hand.
The records of tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined and checked in detail. The amounts transferred to the tax title account or disclaimed were compared with the tax collector's records and the accoun- tant's books, the reported redemptions were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles and tax possessions on hand were listed, proved, and checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
172
The records of payroll deductions on account of Federal taxes, purchase of savings bonds, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and United Fund were examined and proved and the payments to the proper agencies and refunds to individ- uals were verified, while the balances as shown on the individual employees' cards were listed and reconciled with the auditor's control accounts.
The books of the tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The taxes, excise, and assessments outstand- ing at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitment lists, were audited and checked with the warrants issued for their collection. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements, as recorded, were proved with the assessors' records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling account in the accountant's ledger.
The commitments of departmental and water accounts re- ceivable were examined and checked. The recorded re- ceipts were checked with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements, as recorded, were compared with the records of the departments authorized to grant them, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's control accounts.
Further verification of the outstanding tax, excise, assessment, departmental, and water accounts was made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of apportioned and suspended assessments were examined and checked. The payments in advance were checked with the treasurer's books, the amounts appor- tioned and added to taxes were verified, and the amounts falling due in future years were listed and reconciled with the control accounts.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts on account of dog, sporting, and town licenses, as well as from marriage intentions, recording fees, copies of records, and mis- cellaneous charges, were verified and compared with the payments to the town treasurer and the Division of Fish- eries and Game. The cash balance on January 13, 1958, was proved by reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the depository and by actual count of the cash in the office.
173
The available records of departmental collections by the sealer of weights and measures and the inspector of buildings, wires and plumbing, as well as by the police, fire, health, school, library, and cemetery departments, and by all other departments in which money was collected for the town, were examined and checked. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer as shown by the treasurer's and the accountant's records, and the cash on hand in the several departments, including petty cash advances, was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds on file for the several town officials for the faithful performance of their duties were ex- amined and found to be in proper form.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing reconciliations of the trea- surer's, town clerk's and water collector's cash, summa- ries of the tax, excise, assessment, tax title, tax possession, departmental, and water accounts, together with schedules showing the condition and transactions of the several trust, investment, and retirement funds.
During the progress of the audit cooperation was received from all town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express apprecia- tion.
Respectfully submitted, William Schwartz Assistant Director of Accounts
174
Report of the Town Accountant
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1958
To the Board of Selectmen
Andover, Mass.
Gentlemen:
In accordance with Chapter 41, Section 61, of the Gen- eral Laws, I submit herewith my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1958.
A detailed statement of the receipts and their sources, and of the payments and the purposes therefor, follows. The condition of the various trust funds, as well as the Town of Andover Retirement Fund, sources of incomes and the amounts paid out are also set forth. A statement of the temporary loans, maturing debt and interest is included.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.