USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1955-1959 > Part 63
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It has been a good year, even if we never ac- complish all that we might wish and if, at times, we admit some sense of frustration. Work with books and people in a community setting can never be anything but rewarding, stimulating and exciting. Young people about to choose a career, please note !
Thanks, too, should go to all who helped the library in any way during the past year and especially to the Staff and to the Library Board for their continued contribution to the cause of good library service in Andover.
No report can do full justice to the wide range
115
of library influence in the community since no other public institution is so geared to the individual, his needs and his capacity for continuous growth. Words and ideas are indeed the library's principal currency. Marchette Chute in the closing lines of her recent book "Two Gentle Men" writes much in this same vein: "For the word is a durable thing, stronger than fears or beliefs and far stronger than the sword. It is also a lonely thing, the speaking of one individual to another; and yet it may well be through such lonely ways, and not through all the attempts at mass so- lutions, that salvation (perhaps we might substitute the world fulfillment) will finally come."
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1959 STATISTICS OF LIBRARY USE BOOK STOCK
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Volumes at beginning of year
43,089
14,193
57,282
Volumes added by purchase
1,832
994
2,826
Volumes added by gift
105
64
169
Volumes lost or withdrawn
1,780
780
2,560
Lost volumes found
5
7
12
43,251
14,478
57,729
Newspapers & periodicals currently received Periodicals received by gift
USE
Volumes
% of total Circulation
Volumes of adult fiction
39,605
22.6
Volumes of adult non-fiction
44,201
25.3
Pamphlets & Periodicals
7,293
4.2
Children's Books & Magazines
74,311
42.4
Main Library & Branch
48,105
Elementary School Libraries 26,206
Number of adult records
6,484)
Number of children's records
1,140)
5.5
Pictures, prints, filmstrips and film slides
1,985)
175,019
The library wishes to call attention to the fact that in addition to books loaned through school libraries to indi- vidual boys and girls, 12,933 books belonging to the school libraries and the Memorial Hall Library were deposited in classrooms, with each book used from one to twenty times.
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
New borrowers registered during year
1876
597
2473
Total Number of registered borrowers
4560
3015
7575
Circulation per capita (based on
population figures - 14,535 (1955)
12
)
117
201
65
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Andover, Mass. January 1, 1960
Thomas E. Duff, Town Manager
In addition to the periodic reports made to you by the department heads, the following is an annual report from the department combined with the activities of subdividers and contract work awarded.
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 the Garage Department
1 employee on the Dump Department
Superintendent of water and Sewer Depts.
13 employees on the water Department
2 employees on the Sewer Department part time Engineering Aide
Administration and Office
1 Office Manager
2 Senior Clerks part time Senior Clerk
During the 1959 season there were 49 full time and 2 part time employees.
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HIGHWAY
The following road surfaces were treated with asphalt and honed:
Precinct 1 :-- Stratford Road, Pine Street, Lucerne Drive, Stevens Circle, Rock Ridge Road, Fox Hill Road, Woodcliffe Road, Brookfield Road.
Precinct 2 :-- Buxton Court, Cassimere Street, Central Street, Henderson Avenue, Lewis Street, Marion Avenue, Stevens Street, School Street.
Precinct 3 .-- Burnham Road, Corbett Road, Cornell Road, Dufton Road, Poore Street, Theodore Avenue, Juliette Street, Arthur Road, Marylou Lane, Marilyn Road Harvard Road, Marwood Drive, Sherbourne Street, Bowdoin Road, Princeton Avenue.
Precinct 4 .-- Beacon Street, Cutler Road, Gleason Street, High Plain Road, Lincoln Street, Osgood Street, Beech Circle, Chandler Road, Laurel Lane, Brundette Ave. Precinct 5 .-- Andover Street, Lowell Junction Road, River Street.
Precinct 6 .-- Gray Road, Sunset Rock Road, Highland Road, Holt Road, Salem Street, Stinson Road, Prospect Hill Road, Karleton Circle, West Knoll Road, Alden Road, Dwight Road, Vine Street, Wildwood Road, Robandy Road, Appletree Lane.
A total of 110,400 gallons of asphalt was used.
The snowfall for the year 1959 was as follows:
January
8.5 inches
February
10.5 inches
March
23.5 inches
November
1.0 inches
December
8.0 inches
Total snowfall 51.5 inches
An area of 1500' on Chestnut Street was resurfaced with asphalt and pea stone mixed in place.
119
Elm Street was resurfaced with two course type I Bituminous concrete under Chapter 90 construction. All catch basins and drain pipe were renewed. This project was done by the Highway Department at a cost of $22,030.03.
Sidewalks were constructed of bituminous material on the following streets: Andover Street, Main Street, Shawsheen Road, School Street, Pasho Street, and Salem Street. Many of the cement squares were replaced and repaired in Shawsheen Village.
The reconstruction and widening of River Street and Highland Avenue was completed in the year of 1959, also the corners of Argilla Road and Woburn Street were started and these last two corners are to be completed in the year of 1960. This work was done to eliminate bad corners.
Two catch basins were constructed on Yale Road. One basin was built on Shawsheen Road and one on Rail- road Avenue. 50 L.F. of 12" R.C.C.P. was put in place to replace an old stone culvert on Holt Road. 45' L.F. of 12" R.C.C.P. was put in place of an old stone culvert on Gray Road, also 60' L.F. of 12" R.C.C.P. in place on Porter Road to eliminate a drainage condition. 20 L.F. of 10" coated and paved culvert pipe put in place on Spring Grove Road.
Sufficient steel and concrete posts were purchased to erect 510' of guard rail fencing on Dascomb Road, Andover Street near Dascomb Road, and Andover Street near Shawsheen River. Replaced 282 cement posts on River Road, North Street, Woburn Street, Ballardvale Road and Rocky Hill Road.
BRIDGES
The bridges under control of the Department of Public Works were inspected at various times during the year. In Ballardvale a new bridge of concrete and steel construction which spans the Shawsheen liver was com- pleted in the fall of 1959.
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PARKS
There are two regular size diamonds at the Central Playstead, one regular size diamond at Woburn Street Playground, six Little League Fields, two at Central, two at Woburn Street Playground, and two in the rear of the West Center School.
Portable bleachers are erected at the Little League Field on the Woburn Street Playground and at the Central Little League Field, also portable bleachers are erected at the Central area for the football field.
Fertilizer was applied in the Spring on both the Park and Playstead areas. These two areas were rolled by the Park Department.
TREE DEPARTMENT
The Tree Department carried out a shade tree spray program designed to protect Town trees from destructive insect pests. Three elm sprays were applied to control elm bark beetles, known carriers of Dutch Elm disease, and foliage feeding insects. Insecticides were applied to Birch Leaf Miner, Oak Leaf Miner, and Ugly Nest Caterpillars, which appeared in large numbers last sum- mer. Tent Caterpillars, Web Worms, and Gypsy Moths were present but presented no serious problem in 1959.
Foliar feeding of some street trees was done last summer. This process consists of direct application of liquid plant food to foliage with hydraulic spraying equipment. Conventional ground fertilizing is impossible on many street trees due to increased use of blacktop for streets and walks.
Regular Department work of low-branch removal, dead and dangerous tree removal, pruning and bark trac- ing was performed.
A diversified shade tree planting program was fol- lowed with 77 trees being planted along public streets. Varieties planted included Sugar, Schwedler and Norway Maples, Sweet Gum, Katsura, Little Leaf Linden, Golden Rain, Pin Oak, Buisman Elm, Thornless Locust, and Syca- more.
Dutch Elm disease was diagnosed in 82 public elms during 1959. Seventy-eight of these diseased trees have been cut down and burned in the Town dump. The remain- ing trees will be removed by March. Fifteen Dutch Elms
121
were removed on bid contract.
A street light clearing program was carried out during the summer to permit proper lighting of streets and intersections without branch and foliage interfer- ence.
Roadside clearing, brush cutting, and chemical brush control was continued along rural roads, at inter- sections and dangerous corners. Interfering brush and low limbs were removed at stop and warning street signs. Chemical eradication of poison ivy was done along road- sides and at playground and school areas.
NEW EQUIPMENT
1959 Ford Truck with plow & frame 9,594.00
to replace 1951 Mack
1959 Ford Truck 8,400.00
to replace 1947 Diamond T
1959 Ford Tractor & Loader 4,055.00
to replace 1957 Ford Tractor & Loader
3" Marlow Centrifugal Pump (replacement) 348.00
Manhole & Box locater (new) 520.71
Spray Pump & Engine (replacement) 450.00
1" Porto By-pass (new) 437.67
B 100 Tapping Machine (replacement) 505.44
Pavement Breaker (replacement) 480.00
2 Chain Saws with Trade-ins 437.20
Photo volt Meter (new) 135.00
Wheeler Pipe Cutter Hydraulic 364.00
2 Hack Colorimeters 300.00
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STREET LIGHTING
The following tabulation shows the amount of money that will be required in 1960 to cover costs of street lights installed as of December 31, 1959:
Number
Type
Unit Price
Annual Cost
56
1,000 lumen in. u.g.
$38.
$ 2,128.
831
1,000 lumen in. o.h.
18.
14,958.
55
2,500 lumen in.o.h.
28.
1,540.
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.
12
15,000 lumen mercury,
Phillips Academy
289.
3
15,000
lumen mercury,
Phillips Academy
74.
17
21,000 lumen mercury, o.h.
100.
1,700.
8
21,000 lumen mercury, u.g.
120.
960.
10
3,500 lumen mercury, o.h.
40.
400.
1
3,500 lumen mercury, u.g.
60.
60.
1
7,000 lumen mercury, o.h.
55
55.
$29,287.
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.
123
1959 WATER PUMPING REPORT
MONTH
ABBOT WELL
BALLARDVALE WELLS
WOOD HILL
HAGGETTS POND
January
8,882,000
20,191,000
5,638,000
24,190,000
February
Stopped
18,268,000
5,284,000
29,620,000
March
Stopped
20,207,000
5,905,000
28,470,000
April
Stopped
15,594,000
6,248,000
33,000,000
May
Stopped
Stopped
9,872,000
50,850,000
June
13,317,000
19,073,000
8,243,000
31,010,000
July
11,055,000
18,560,000
9,631,000
32,330,000
August
11,153,000
19,817,000
10,843,000
44,160,000
September
10,552,000
19,787,000
7,844,000
36,940,000
October
10,927,000
20,428,000
6,751,000
30,000,000
November
10,420,000
14,424,000
6,848,000
29,170,000
December
10,791,000
16,359,000
6,968,000
27,690,000
Total
87,097,000
202,708,000
90,075,000
397,430,000
Total all sources
- 777,310,000
Average M.G.D. 2,129,616
Minimum daily pumping 1,393,000 - December 13
Maximum daily pumping
3,847,000 - July 28
124
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 mainten.
by direct pumping
Received per Mil.Gals.
Annual Pumpage Haggetts Station (Million Gals.)
No. of Serv. Pipes In Use
No. of Meters In Use
No. of Hydrants
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
25,571.55
112.45
48.70
159.73
525,055
3632
3604
839
95.36
1955
93,229.71
65,706.22
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
111,032.430
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
1959
186,379.48
130,514.79
47,874.99
167.90
61.59
239.77
777,310
4311
4289
955
112.79,!
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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.
Miles
WATER SYSTEM
During the year 1959, projects started late the pre- vious year, were completed. Ballardvale Well #2 was put in service and the dike and spillway at Haggetts finished. A new 8" main was installed on the new Ballardvale bridge .. 5854' of 12" and 620' of 6" C.L.C.I. pipe was laid under contract from Elm Street to Haverhill Street. This line was the distribution improvement installed under the gen- eral improvement program. Tests after completion showed pressures and flows to be as anticipated.
Dow Construction Company completed laying the 10" line under the By-pass at Vine Street after State permis- sion was granted, and completed laying the Bancroft drain. Most of the Department's work was in maintenance and su- pervision. Some of the larger projects were the clean- ing of both open reservoirs. The wall of the Prospect Reservoir was repaired and the old iron piping in the bottom of the Bancroft Reservoir was removed. This was to help reduce the pumping head. A drain was installed on Wood Hill for overflowing and draining the new reser- voir. Four gates were installed on the Elm Street line to aid in the control of the new high pressure in the area.
Two hundred and twenty-five new meters were in- stalled. Major breaks occurred on Woodland Road, Boston Road and Elm Street. Four hydrants were relocated. The electric motor at Haggetts Pumping Station was repaired.
Several acres of woodland were cleared in back of Haggetts Pond. The temporary dike was kept in continual repair until completion of the new construction. Con- siderable time was spent on locating services for new highway construction.
Added to the system by contract:
By-Pass
60 L.F. 10" C.L.C.I.
Elm Street to
5854 L.F. 12" C.L. C.I.
2 hydrants Haverhill
620 L.F. 6" C.L.C.I.
By DPW Ballardvale Bridge
none 8" mech. jt.
126
By Subdividers:
John Phillips Enterprises
4280 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I. 7 hydrants
Elm Farm Amherst Road
1165 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I.
2 hydrants
900 L.F. 6" C.L.C.I. 1 hydrant
Nancy Circle
340 L.F. 6" C.L.C.I. 1 hydrant 400 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I.
1 hydrant
0
Suncrest Road
West Parish Acres
1800 L.F. 8" C.L.C.I.
3 hydrants
Lovejoy Road
925 L.F.12" C.L.C.I.
1 hydrant
16344 L.F.
17 hydrants
8 1
The Massachusetts State Department installed 6" mech- anical joint on By-Pass Bridge, and in addition two crossings.
SEWERAGE SYSTEM
No major sewer installation was made by the Town this year. As in the Water Department, the majority of the work is in maintenance and supervision of new work done by subdividers. Realty Construction Company added the longest line to the system. This was in the Ballard- vale area. A ten inch main was run from a manhole on Clark Road to Dascomb Road, up Dascomb to Lovejoy, and an eight inch line up Lovejoy to the end of the existing new houses. This addition to the Ballardvale filter plant will cause overloading, so Realty started the con- struction of a sludge digesting tank with appurtenances. Completion is expected in the Spring. During the past year a large amount of study was done at the treatment plant and the efficiency of the operation greatly im- proved. At the Riverina Road Pumping Station major re- pairs were made. Both motors and pumps were recondi- tioned and balanced. Such new bearings as were needed were installed. Metal flues and gutters were replaced with a new ventilation theory in practice. We now be- lieve the repair work can be kept to a minimum. The wet well was cleaned.
The by pass line from High Street to the Shawsheen River was cut during private construction. Pipe was purchased for a temporary relief but not installed due to weather conditions. This work will be completed as soon as possible.
127
n
1
Merrimack College started the installation of lines for their new dormitories. One line was installed in the Shawsheen Heights area on Amherst Street. An old line on Cornell Road finally had to be replaced by lay- ing a new line in the opposite direction. Once again the main trunk line was refuted by the voters. It is hoped that this construction will be approved at the 1960 Town Meeting in order that many of the problems may be eliminated.
Feet added to system:
By Contract
none
By D. P. W.
150'
Cornell Road
By Subdividers
900'
Amherst Road
3630 '
Clark Road, Dascomb Rd.
520'
Lovejoy Road Merrimack College
We wish to express our thanks to the various Boards and personnel of the Town for the splendid co-operation accorded us this past year.
Donald C. Bassett, Supt. Stanley Chlebowski, Supt. Calvin E. Metcalf, Office Manager
128
CENTRAL MERRIMACK VALLEY PLANNING DISTRICT
The communities of Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, and Methuen, by vote of the City Council in the case of Lawrence and by vote of their respective Town Meetings in the cases of the three towns, established themselves in 1959 as a new regional planning district. This is the second such district to be established in the state, under the Regional Planning Law, Chapter LOB of the General Laws passed in 1955.
Each Planning Board elected one of its members to serve as a member of the Commission of this regional planning dis- trict. The four-member Commission first met in July, 1959, and elected the following officers:
Edward M.Force, Methuen, Chairman James M. Bannan, North Andover, Vice Chmn. Donald A. MacNeil, Lawrence, Treasurer Virginia H. Hammond, Andover, Secretary
The designation "Central Merrimack Valley Planning District' was adopted by the Commission, and subsequently both the district and its name received formal approval by the Division of Planning of the Massachusetts Department of Commerce, in accordance with state law.
From the time of its establishment in 1959 until mid- February, 1960, the Commission has held a total of seven meetings. Early in its deliberations the Commission de- cided to enlist the aid of a professional planning con- sultant and accordingly wrote to nine planning firms. After screening replies and interviewing two consultants, the Commission chose Planning and Renewal Associates of Cambridge to assist it.
The work of the Commission, which is purely advisory, is financed by the member communities, each one being assessed on a per capita basis up to a maximum set by the original vote of the several legislative bodies. The total amount available in any one year is approximately $11,000.
With the aid of Planning and Renewal Associates, the Com- mission will shortly complete its application to the federal government for planning assistance funds of $10,000 a year for a two-year period. During this time the Commission will undertake to prepare an integrated plan for regional development, using all available data including that already gathered during the course of local planning programs. The work will include preparation of regional base maps as required, general planning studies for the region and planning studies of specific problems, such as highway development, industrial sites, water resources,
129
utilities and services, open space development, and insti- tutional expansion. As the work proceeds, reports of progress will be made, for general circulation among inter- ested groups.
It is the aim of the Commission to establish a centrally located office which will become a clearing house of in- formation and service for regional planning and develop- ment, and which should have a competent technical staff. The Commission expects that such an office may become a reality during 1960.
From its inception the District and its Commission have had every possible aid from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, which was instrumental in arousing the interest in regional planning which led to the creation of the District by the four communities.
Respectfully submitted, Edward M. Force, Chairman James M. Bannan Donald A. MacNeil Virginia H. Hammond.
130
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE TOWN BY-LAWS
To the Town Manager:
The Committee to Study the Town By-Laws has devoted its efforts this year to clarification of the Zoning By-Law. Throughout this year, it has discussed with all Town Boards and officials concerned the strengths and weak- nesses of the present by-law and wherein the Zoning By- Law might be clarified. All have cooperated in making suggestions.
An Interim Report was presented to the Selectmen and discussed at a meeting in October, 1959. Upon advice of this Committee, the Selectmen agreed that the Committee should employ counsel to redraft the Zoning By-Law. A firm of attorneys specializing in land law has been re- tained and will produce in late February or early March of 1960 a first draft for comment and analysis by this Committee and by all Town Boards and officials involved in administering the Zoning By-Law.
This Committee is not presently concerning itself with recommendations regarding substantive matters of policy, e.g., where zones should be, area and frontage require- ments, etc. Such matters are by statute the responsi- bility of the Planning Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert S. Zollner, Chairman Alfred W. Fuller James St. Germain
131
Report of the Director of Accounts
April 21, 1959
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Eugene A. Bernardin, Jr., 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 1958, 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
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Andover for the fiscal year 1958, and report as follows thereon:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by comparison with the records in the offices of the town accountant and the town treasurer.
The books and accounts in the town accountant's office were examined and checked. The general ledger accounts were analyzed, the recorded receipts and payments being checked with the treasurer's books, while the appropria- tions and transfers, as entered, were checked with the
132
town clerk's records of financial votes passed by town meetings and with the finance committee's authorizations of transfers from the reserve fund.
The necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit were made, and a balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1958, was pre- pared and is appended to this report.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were exam- ined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and verified by comparison with the records in the several departments collecting money for the town, with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, and with the accountant's books. The re- corded payments were checked with the selectmen's war- rants authorizing the disbursement of town funds and with the accountant's books.
The cash book was footed, and the cash balance on January 8, 1959 was verified by reconciliation of the bank bal- ances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit, by examination of the savings bank book, the certificates of deposits, and the safekeeping receipts for treasury bills, and by actual count of the cash in the office.
The reported payments on account of maturing debt and interest were compared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file. The bond and coupon account was reconciled with a statement furnished by the bank of deposits.
The savings bank books and securities, representing the investment of the trust, investment, and retirement funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the treasurers of the trustees of the John Cornell, Punchard Free School, and Memorial Hall Library Funds, were examined and listed. The income was proved, the disbursements were verified, and all transactions and balances were reconciled with the accountant's records.
The records of tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the tax titles redeemed were checked with the receipts as recorded on the treasurer's cash book, the foreclosures were verified, and the tax titles and tax possessions on hand were listed and compared with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
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