USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 22
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The Richardson School was also demolished and the area filled in and graded. It is always sad to mark the passing of a building which has served the Town as well as this schoolhouse. However, the plot will continue to be used by children as a play area and with additional loaming and seeding should be enjoyed by its neighbors.
In view of new State Safety Regulations re- lating to nursing homes, the "Infirmary" build- ing on Carmel Road was closed. This building was rented for some years by the Town for pri- vate use as such a home. It was determined, how- ever, that the cost of making the building con- form to the new State Regulations would have been prohibitive. Plans presently call for the sub- mission of a Warrant Article in 1966 to permit the sale of the building and the grounds on which it lies for public auction. The Board of Selectmen offered the Bradlee School for sale once again during 1965. No bids were received. The building however, has been boarded up and has remained free from vandalism or other damage. Mainten- ance of the present Town Hall was accelerated and although it is a difficult building to keep in good order because of its limited size, increased use, and age, it has been kept in a satisfactory manner.
Of greatest significance during 1965 was the work accomplished on new buildings. Design work was completed and construction started on the Memorial Hall Library addition. This work should be completed by Fall of 1966. A Federal grant of $85,000.00 was received to assist in the financing of this project. The Town Garage project which involves the construction of a pre-engineered steel building of some 10,000 square feet was started in November of 1965 and will be ready for occupancy in the early summer of 1966. This modern facility will permit the housing of all town equipment and the improvement of equip- ment maintenance procedures. The West An- dover Fire Station has proceeded satisfactorily and with the selection of an architect in the Fall of 1965, plans were being prepared at the close of the year. Bids will be taken on this project in
February of 1966 with work to commence as soon as weather permits and to be completed within approximately six months. Construction of the Town Hall and the Police Station were delayed in 1965 in view of the need for careful selection of appropriate sites. This matter should be re- solved early in 1966 and work proceed soon there- after.
The report of the secondary School Building Committee will be found in another section of this report and describes the progress in the con- struction of the Senior High School. The School Committee requested the Town Manager to pro- ceed with the preparation of plans for a new 24- classroom elementary school in South Andover. As approved by the Board of Selectmen, a loan request has been made of the United States Hous- ing and Home Finance Agency to permit the de- velopment of detailed plans and specifications for this building. This would permit the submis- sion to a Town Meeting for appropriate action of an accurate picture of the physical and financial requirements involved in such a building.
The Board of Selectmen, as authorized by a special Town Meeting in 1965, acquired the so- called Shorten property on Park Street. Demoli- tion of the building on the land will proceed in 1966 if funds are made available for this purpose. Initially, the site will be used for off-street park- ing.
"The Old" Town Garage.
!
13
Conservation Commission
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
0
0
The Conservation Commission met monthly throughout the year. The 1965 commission was joined by Mrs. Virginia Hammond who serves as a committee member appointed by the chairman and Mrs. James Keck as the League of Women's Voters representative to the Commission.
In 1965, the Commission organized the fol- lowing committees among its members: finance, education, public relations, land acquistion and a liaison committee keeping in contact with other Town Boards.
The Commission recommended to the Town through a letter to the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen that certain tracts of land be pre- served in their natural state. These included Carmel Woods, Pole Hill, the Haggett's Pond wat- ershed. Some of this land is already in Town own- ership and its present use should not be changed. Other pieces of land should be acquired by the Town and it was recommended that the Town look into the acquistion of the now unused sand and gravel pit adjacent to Pomp's Pond.
Commission members attended an early sum- mer meeting with the Town manager, Board of Health and state health officials concerning the possible pollution of Shawsheen River. The mem- bers maintained a survey of the river through- out the Summer months with the aid of Mr. Frank Serio of Ballardvale. The June meeting of the Commission was held at the Reichold Chemical Plant. With a plant engineer as a guide, the members took a tour of the plant's waste disposal system. Later Mrs. Kellogg attended a meeting in Bedford with other Conservation Commission members from towns through which the Shaw- sheen River flows. All agreed to work together to take the necessary steps to keep the Shawsheen River clean. The Commission recommends strong- ly that this river be kept clean and its banks, flood plain and adjoining wetlands be preserved.
In November the Commission met and then adjourned to the Selectmen's conference room and attended the hearing of the Acreage Develop- ment Corp. of Peabody to fill certain land they own along the Fish Brook Flood Plain. To deter- mine if the filling of this land was a threat to the future water supply of the Town by danger of discoloring or polluting the Fish Brook Dam water supply, the Selectmen, Commission mem- bers and the Town water engineer surveyed the property on a Saturday morning. It was a unani- mous vote of the Selectmen that the Acreage Development Corp. not be allowed to fill this land in light of the findings made on the inspection trip. This work came under the new HATCH Act (Chapter 220) of the General Laws) re- quiring landowners to get permission before filling any wetland.
In December the Commission met with the Planning Board in an attempt to gain more coop- eration in the following areas : wetland and flood plain survey, enlargement of Harold Parker For- est, Regional Conservation Commissions, Hatch Act interpretation, and the requirements of de- velopers to give a copy of sub-division plans for use of the Commission.
In December, the Commission met with the Planning Board and other interested groups to discuss a soil survey or resoursse inventory. The Commission has voted to ask for additional funds at town meeting to acquire land, mostly wetlands and flood plain.
Industrial Development Commission
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
$1,208.00 1/2 ¢
During 1965 construction work was begun on two substantial revenue-producing facilities in West Andover's industrially zoned property. Allied Chemical's regional warehouse and office was nearing completion by the end of the year. Ground work was also well along at the Valle restaurant site. The Industrial Commission feels that these facilities, together with the new In- ternal Revenue office, will provide a nucleus which will eventually attract other desirable commer- cial establishments to the Route 93 area.
Two major projects, aimed at providing com- plete and accurate information to prospective purchasers of industrial property, were carried to completion during 1965. The existing maps of all West Andover industrial areas were updated and the associated property owners lists were re- vised. In addition, questionnaires were sent to all owners of industrial property asking for such information as land use, available utilities and willingness to sell. This data was summarized to provide more complete knowledge of properties available.
The Commission continued in 1965 the prac- tice of sending promotional letters to key execu- tives in major corporations throughout the coun- try. It is felt that, with the advantages Andover has to offer as a prestige location, this program may eventually be productive.
During the year, all appropriate leads brought to the Commission's attention were fol- lowed to a conclusion through letters and asso- ciated promotional material, telephone calls and personal visits. The Commission will continue to follow up on all prospects that it feels will be of benefit to the Town of Andover.
14
Board of Appeals
Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
Part-time 1 $1,288.00
1/2 ¢
During the year 1965, the thirtieth year of the Andover Zoning By-law, the Board heard 47 cases which were disposed of as follows :
26 petitions granted 12 petitions denied
2 petitions withdrawn after hearing was held
7 petitions pending as of December 31, 1965
A total of $548.00 was turned over to the Town Treasurer for advertising fees collected for the year ending December 31, 1965.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Department
Personnel
40
(Including School Crossing Guards)
Expenditures $243,214.00
Monthly Cost Per Person
97 ¢
During the year 1965 there was no change in police personnel, which consists of a chief, 5 sergeants, 22 regular patrolmen, 4 reserve offic- ers, 10 women traffic supervisors, and 2 dogs. The police clerk retired, and at the present time the position is still open. One more civilian is em- ployed as a maintenance man.
In 1965, 3,143 miscellaneous complaints re- sulted in police action being taken. This is an increase of 636 over 1964, and 1235 over 1963. During the year there were 274 arrests made, an increase of 80 over 1964, and 4 more than in 1963. The 1965 arrests included 132 traffic vio- lations and 11 juvenile arrests. Also there were 67 arrests for drunkeness.
In 1965 the police department issued 2,208 parking tags, an increase of 282 over 1964. Also 499 violation notices were sent to the Registry of
Motor Vehicles, an increase of 154 over 1964, and 69 over 1963.
There were 389 motor vehicle accidents dur- ing the year which is 4 less than 1964, but 53 more than in 1963. The 1965 accidents include 2 fatalities, 189 personal injury accidents, and 196 property damage accidents.
In 1965 police vehicles travelled 284,666 miles, an increase of 56,655 miles over 1964, and 67,177 miles over 1963. An additional unmarked police cruiser was acquired in 1965 as provided by the Annual Town Meeting. A radar unit was also purchased and put to good advantage for speed control during the year.
An especially brutal murder of one of An- dover's citizens and businessmen was perpetra- ted and solved in 1965. Through assidous and trained police work by the Andover Police De- partment with other police agencies principally the City of Lawrence and the Massachusetts State Police, the murderer was taken into custody and convicted of the crime.
Training continued to be of prime import- ance during 1965. Of special significance was the marksmanship courses conducted by the Chief of Police. U. S. Military Police demonstrated var- ious prisoner control techniques to the officers of the Department.
15
Andover was honored by the appointment of its Chief by the Governor to a State Police Training Commission which is charged with the responsibility of implementing and enforcing the manadatory police training law which goes into effect in 1966. Massachusetts is one of four states
in the nation which requires that newly-appointed police officers must complete satisfactorily an accredited training program within one year of appointment as a police officer. Failure to meet this requirement makes an appointee inelegible to continue as a law enforcement officer.
POLICE MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING - 1965
SLOW DOWN &
LIVE
393
389
336
318
298
192
189
162
140
6
5
4
2
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
Injuries
Accidents
Fatalities
16
160
Fire Department
Personnel
40
Expenditures
$327,825.00
Monthly Cost Per Person
$1.30
Quarterly inspections required by statutes in nursing homes, rest homes, hospitals and inns were conducted and the necessary reports filed. Public and Private school fire drills and inspect- ions required by law were conducted. Mercantile, Industrial, Church, Garage and Service Station buildings were inspected for hazards and reports filed. Appropriate recommendations were sent to owners and/or occupants. Dwellings of three (3) or more apartments were inspected for fire pre- vention and recommendations and suggestions made to owners and/or occupants.
The 1965 inspection program was, in fact, the most aggressive conducted by the Department in its history. A single piece of radio-equipped apparatus was assigned with a full complement of fire fighters to undertake "in service" inspections. In the event of a fire call, the men and equipment
are able to respond immediately and without de- lay. In this way more efficient and effective use of personnel and apparatus is achieved. It is an- ticipated that a second fire truck will be assigned in 1966 to this important and result- producing task.
Fire prevention continues to be the major goal of the Department. Of 73 building fires in 1965, 43 or more than half of the total, were caused by carelessness - children playing with matches, grass or brush burning or careless smoking. Other major fire incidents involved motor vehicles (47) ; oil burners (9) ; and brush and grass (142). Of this latter figure, 21 calls were required at the Town Dump. Fires also claimed two (2) lives during the year.
As this report was filed, a new 1,000 gallon per-minute Class "A" pumper was delivered to the Department as provided by an appropriation of the 1965 Annual Town Meeting. Diesel-power- ed and fully-equipped, this unit will undergo ex- tensive testing before being placed into service. When this occurs, one of the other modern pieces of fire fighting equipment will be transferred to the Ballardvale Fire Station. It will replace a thirty-five year old pumper.
$
F
T
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION ···
I
200 H
R
O
E
150
U
S
L
ENGINE
No.
ANDU
O
N
S
50 D
S
S
E
0
$
S
1961
"62
"63
"64
"65
100
A
Cp HP STUMPARPr
17
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
Service Calls
1916
1879
1868
1482
1630
Fires
448
466
464
317
278
False Alarms
17
6
8
12
9
Mutual Aid Calls
18
8
9
9
2
Approx. assessed
$2,208,936.00
$2,902,075.00
$2,332,695.00
$4,901,455.00
$2,158,320.00
value of Buildings when fire occured.
Approx. loss from fires reported.
$ 155,800.00
$ 180,650.00
$ 160,240.00 $ 110,636.00
$ 135,672.00
Ambulance Calls
725
725
797
597
617
Non-Residents billed
85
80
81
80
73
for Ambulance use.
Open-Air Fire
2506
2800
4700
5000
3300
Permits Issued.
Violations Issued
66
33
68
44
20
for Open-Air Fires
Fuel Oil Burner Permits
144
146
257
195
146
Issue and Inspected
Use of Explosive
40
38
44
18
19
Permits Issued
Inspection of Bldgs.
1183
714
476
300
-
Fire Drills Conducted
120
92
88
throughout Schools
-
-
Fatalities due to Fire
2
-
-
-
(1 Fatality due to smoking)
(1 Fatality due to improper wiring)
ANDOVER
FIRE
DEPARTMENT
18
Civil Defense
Personnel
Part-time 1 Many Volunteers $1,886.00
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
3/4 ¢
As in the past, regular groups continued their meetings and rills. Volunteer time to attend these meetings and to perform Civil Defense duties, principally police traffic work, totaled more than 3,500 man hours. Personnel were called out once during the year to search for a lost person. Auxil- iary Police and Communications people were out during "Operation Pumpkin" and assisted the Town Police Department in controlling the over- abundance of energy of the Town's younger citi- zens. Fourteen (14) Civil Defense people took and passed a radiological monitoring course. Five (5) took and passed the advanced course in monitor- ing.
Andover was commended by the Governor's office for its shelter-marking and stocking pro- gram which has been completed. The Town stands as one of two municipalities in the Commonwealth to have accomplished this objective. One shelter was added to the Town's system making a total of 16.
The Federal Government has resurveyed the present shelters and has up-dated them. The Town presently has a capability of sheltering approxi- mately 40,000 persons. However, by the end of
1965 approximately 22,000 spaces were stocked. Along these lines, a shelter utilization program for every resident of the Town will be completed by December 1966. This plan will be made known to the public as soon as practical.
THE TOWN CONTINUES TO NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS FOR EVERY PHASE OF CIVIL DEFENSE.
Work continues on a program to have at least one person in each family in the Town com- plete the medical self-help program. This has been completed by the Fire Department under the dir- ection of Deputy Chief John Cole. 2,000 medical self-help kits have bben delivered to the School Department for use by them under the supervision of Athletic Director Donald Dunn.
During the month of November, a test of Civil Defense units was conducted during the northeast United States blackout. Approximately 30 Civil Defense people reported to the Town Hall within 45 minutes of the start of this emer- gency. Several additional groups called and of- fered assistance. This experience indicates the preparedness of the Civil Defnse organization or spoetend successfully to any emergency.
In the next year, courses will be made avail- able to Town citizens. If any group wishes to have any special program on Civil Defense, please con- tact the Director.
Finally, program papers were prepared by the Director and approved by the Federal overn- ment. This makes the Town eligible for matching funds under Federal Civil Defense programs.
Animal Control
Personnel
Expenditures
Part-time 1 $660.00 1/4
Monthly Cost Per Person
"A Dogs Best Friend (Rabies Clinic, 1965)"
Calls made for unlicensed dogs appearing on warrant
162
Stray dogs reported
66
Stray dogs picked up
46
Complaints
57
Investigations
73
Dog bites reported
9
Lost dogs reported
62 6
Dead dogs picked up and buried
11
Dead cats picked up and burried
2
Dogs returned to owners
12
Dogs sent to Harvard Medical School
4
Dogs sent to Mass. Dept. of Public Health for rabies test
1
Total mileage driven on calls
1837
Average mileage per call
5.7
Total days dogs boarded at cost of $1.00 per day
302
19
Lost cats reported
Electrical Inspection
Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
Part-time 1 $4,026.00
1 1/2 ¢
During the year 1965, there were 536 electrical permits issued and categorized as follows :
Addition and Alterations 253
New Structures 279
Re-inspections 3
Void permit 1
Total fees turned over to the Town Treasurer were $1,292.00. The Electrical Inspector's position is part-time.
Weights and Measures
Personnel «
Part-time 1 $1,856.00
Expenditures
Monthly Cost Per Person
3/4 ¢
For many years the administration of weights and measures has maintained a static or status quo position. There has been a lack of im- petus of sufficient momentum to place the wheels of progress in a position of ascendancy. Conse- quently, until recent years, the status quo position had begun to deteriorate to a stage of regression while we of weights and maesures deplored the lack of proper recognition on the part of the pub- lic and were really disturbed by the fact that other segments of government advanced and con- tinuously offered to the public a more favorable image. There was no concerted effort to improve our public relations or by suggesting needed re- visions of archaic laws. We failed to recognize the existing inadequacies which were contributing to our dilemma; rather like the ostrich, some buried their heads dismissing the factual from their minds hoping that in so doing there would be some stroke of magic that would change condi- tions.
Unquestionably, some of us did make a de- gree of progress within the confines of our own municipalities. A better understanding of the ben- efits that could accrue from good administrative proceedure and the importance of maintaining an active weights and measures department was transmitted to the public in a limited area, usu- ally within the confines of the particular munici- pality. Thru the combined efforts of the Con- sumers' Council and the state Weights and Mea- sures Department, effective legislation has cor- rected inadequacies and evils present in existing laws. Enactment of Chapter #243 provides for a minimum penalty of a fine of not less than fifty dollars for a first offense for giving or attempt- ing to give insufficient weight or measure. For too many years, people convicted of giving insuf- ficient weight or measure received a token fine of five dollars. Chapter #98 was amended, sub- stantially increasing fees for sealing certain weighing and measureing devices. Chapter #94 was amended thru the efforts of the Consumers' Council requiring all food items offered for sale
in package form to be plainly and conspicuously marked in terms of; weight, measure, numerical count. All meats, poultry and edible fish in pack- age form must carry the price per pound of con- tents and total sale price. Chapter #94 has ma- terially percentage wise reduced shortweight and overpricing in the sale of prepackaged meats, poultry and edible fish. Other states have endeav- ored to enact similar legislation without success.
This Departments replacement program, pur- chasing new State Standard avoirdupois weights ranging from 1/16th oz., to five (5) pounds was completed with appropriation of necessary funds at the 1965 Town Meeting. These weights are non-magnetic, non-corrosive manufactured of stainless steel and calibrated to S-1 tolerances, (superior to weights in adjacent localities) .
This Department was one of the first in the Commonwealth to obtain the use of the new revo- lutionary Massachusetts heavy-capacity scale test- ing unit during 1965, enabling this Department to test the communities industrial vehicle scales to capacity. Accuracy certification is of utmost importance for industry. Adequate and proper testing proceedures allow equity to prevail.
A total of 6,418 prepackaged items were in- spected for package content and marking. 4,101 municipal purchases `(school food, drink-fuel oils, gasoline-general commodities) were inspected and tested for proper content.
A total of 173 weighing and measuring de- vices were tested for compliance and accuracy. Sealing fees amounted to $269.80. Receipts a- mounting to $246.30 were turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Building Inspection
Personnel
2
Expenditures
$12,086.00
Monthly Cost Per Person
5¢
There were 572 permits of all kinds issued during the year and categorized as follows :
The valuation is considerably higher this year due to the additions and alterations to churches, educational buildings, and Town-owned property.
Of the total permits issued in 1965, 554 of them were for structures which ultimately will be taxable. These had a value of $6,266,893.00.
20
Fees collected for the year 1965 totaled $9,098.00.
There were 65 Certificates of Occupancy is- sued.
A great number of zoning and building viola- tions were handled, investigated and followed up. Most of the violations were corrected amicably and quickly.
Board of Appeals applications were processed through this office which necessitates preliminary checking prior to the public hearing.
Gravel removal operations have been under constant inspection this year. The new regulations
No.
197 New Structures
$7,118,813.00
$7,678.00
889,662.00
1,172.00
13,624.00
112.00
61,695.00
72.00
850.00
12.00
14
Signs
572
$8,116,109.00
$9,098.00
PUBLIC WORKS
Highways
Personnel
17
Expenditures
$126,374.00
Monthly Cost Per Person
50¢
During the year, 50 miles of street were treated with MC-3 asphalt and sand as well as being honed. Sections of Lowell and Andover Streets were treated with RC-5 asphalt and pea stone. A total of 109,000 gallons of asphalt was used in these programs.
River Road from the City of Lawrence line to the Old North School, Andover Street from Hall Avenue to the railroad tracks and the intersection of Andover Street and Dascomb Road were paved with two courses of Type I bituminous con- crete. This latter intersection was also completely redesigned and reconstructed and included the widening of Andover Street, reduction of a curve and the rerouting of traffic entering the inter-
adopted by the Board of Selectmen in 1964 for use in the issuance of permits have benefitted the Town both aesthetically and financially.
All electrical permits are issued by and re- cords kept in this office.
The Building Inspector's office in 1965 clearly was not self-supporting as should be the case. Fees collected from users for the benefit of these same users should cover the cost of inspection services. With this in mind, an upward revision in fees will be submitted to the Town for its con- sideration in 1966.
Valuation
Fee
269 Additions and Alterations
49 Raze and Demolization
37 Swimming Pools
6
Renewals
21,465.00
52.00
section from Dascomb Road. Coupled with the installation of mercury-vapor street lights, what was once a particularly unsafe intersection has become considerably safer. The Department also reconstructed and supervised the paving of more than one-half mile of Spring Grove Cemetery roadways.
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