Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969, Part 34

Author: Andover (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 902

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 34

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On Chandler Road a narrow section of the roadway was widened beginning at the Eastwood home and extending in a westerly direction some four hundred feet. This corrective repair was un- dertaken to eliminate a particularly bad curve. The intersection of Dascomb Road and Andover Street was also improved through elimination of some trees, widening, and the installation fo traf- fic islands. Coupled with the installation of more adequate and modern street lighting, this inter- section no longer possesses the serious problems that it has in the past.

Drainage Installed

Several more culverts and drains were con-

AFTER

structed during the year. A new 24-inch diame- ter reinforced concrete pipe (R.C.P.) culvert was installed on Haggetts Pond Road for a dis- tance of some ninety-six feet. This was to replace an old stone culvert and to improve the water flow into Haggetts Pond. A new 12-inch R.C.P. culvert some one hundred feet in length was in- stalled on the lower length of Rattlesnake Kill Road in addition to two six-foot deep catch ba- sins. Approximately sixty feet of 12-inch R.C.P. and one hundred ninety-two feet of 18-inch R.C.P. were installed on Cross Street in addition to three new catch basins in order to relieve an especially poor drainage condition.

Six new catch basins and three hundred eighty-five feet of 12-inch R.C.P. and two hundred fifty-six feet of 18-inch R.C.P. were installed near the Lowell Street end of Argilla Road. At the Town Yard two hundred seventy feet of 12- inch R.C.P. were installed as drainage for the new Town Garage.

Bridges Inspected

All the bridges under the jurisdiction of the Highway Department were inspected at least twice during the past year and found to be safe for the posted load limits. The open deck bridges on Stevens Street and Central Street were flushed down at the end of sanding season to remove sand and salt from horizontal surfaces. Stevens Street and Central Street bridges should be listed for

paint jobs next year.

In addition, the Department continued its street sweeping program which was augmented by the acquisition of a second mechanized street sweeper. As part of special projects during the year Town forces were used during the annual. spring cleanup and Christmas tree pickup. The Department also provides men and equipment for the cemetery, library, and Tree Department for special projects. This was especially evident in the moving of library books and other material during the renovation of the Memorial Hall Li- brary.

Under the sidewalk construction program lines, grades, and labor were furnished for a cement walk in front of the new office building on Elm Street as well as on the High Street side. A similar walk was put in on Elm Street in front of the Doherty Insurance Offices. Both of these projects were undertaken on condition that the abutting property owners pay for the materials used in return for Town labor being furnished. An old section of sidewalk was also replaced on Kenilworth Street.

The Highway Department was requested to inspect the conditions of streets prior to their ac- ceptance as public ways by the Board of Select- men.

DAVIDEIT PROPERTY - WEST ANDOVER

THIS

. .

OR THIS .

Parks

Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$17,197 6 1/2 ¢

The backstops at all baseball diamonds, both regular and Little League fields, were repaired. During the season seven Little League and two regular fields were rolled, raked, and marked for each game for the school and Little League teams. The Park Department hopes to lay out one more Little League and a baseball diamond at the Sanborn School in 1967.

Fertilizer was applied in the spring on both the Park and Playstead areas. The portable bleach- ers were loaned to North Andover for the Thanks- giving Day game with Andover High.

Trees

Personnel Expenditures

$46,226

Monthly Cost Per Person

18¢

The responsibility for the maintenance and preservation of Andover's public shade trees is that of the Tree Department. Pruning, cabling, planting, spraying and removal of trees are some of the duties involved in discharging this respons- ibility. Tree trimming for electrical and telephone wires and the laying out of utility pole and under- ground services are supervised and inspected by the Department. The major task of the department is the control of Dutch Elm Disease. In addition the Department is responsible for an annual spraying program for the suppression of certain insect pests. This program does not include mos- quito spraying. This is a private responsibility.

A diversified shade tree planting program was continued in 1966 with 200 ornamental shade trees being set out and cared for. Varieties used include Red, Norway, Sugar and Crimson King Maples, Little Leaf Lindens, Katsuras, Flo- wering Crabapples, and Mountain Ash trees. Several Yews and flowering shrubs were replaced in park areas where they had been broken or damaged. All newly planted trees were fertilized, mulched, and watered during the excessivly dry growing season. A continuing tree replacement program should be followed so that no denuded areas will appear as a result of public tree loss.

However, consideration must be given to existing conditions which preclude planting, such as over- head wires and obstructions, underground pipes, wires, and valves, and traffic vision problems at driveways, intersections and crosswalks.

Many street trees were adversely affected by the continuing drought. Fewer and smaller leaves and less growth resulted and trees became more susceptible to disease and insect infestation. Much dead wood became evident, particularly top growth in maples and over 40 of these desirable trees died and were removed during the year. Elm Disease Continues

Dutch Elm disease was diagnosed in 90 pub- lic elms. These were cut down and disposed of at Andover's landfill site. An additional 60 dead and beetle-infested elms were removed with the as- sistance of men and equipment from the Mass. Department of Natural Resources, which Agency also worked on locating and sampling suspected diseased elms.

Routine work consisted of low limb removal, pruning, cabling, dead and dangerous tree remov- al, bark tracing, fertilizing and supervision and inspection of utility wire clearance. Poison ivy and brush control by chemical spray was con- tinued along roadsides, at playgrounds and re- creation areas. The newly purchased tractor and mower was used extensively for roadside grass and brush cutting. This tractor was used to pull Andover's stump chipper to job sites where 63 stumps were chipped out.

An annual spray program designed to pro- tect trees from destructive insects and diseases was carried out. State and Federal approved ap- plication methods and pesticides were used.

The Tree Bureau worked in cooperation with other Town departments in pruning and removal of trees, brush chipping, poison ivy and brush control and insect spraying. Several acres of land were cleared of trees at the disposal site to allow for expansion of the landfill operation. New Quarters

In September of 1966 the Tree Bureau moved its trucks and equipment into new quarters which had formerly housed the garage and repair opera- tion of the Department of Public Works. After an extensive cleaning, painting and renovating period, there emerged a clean, organized facility from which men and equipment can operate ef- ficiently.

Personnel worked during all ice and snow storms, operating trucks and sidewalk plows, also salting and sanding streets and sidewalks.

- 1

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Street Lighting

MAPLE TREES PLANTED ALONG CENTRAL STREET TO REPLACE ELMS KILLED BY DISEASE

Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$44,184 17 1/2 ¢

Personnel

Full-time 1 Seasonal 1

Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$10,628

4¢

Street lights in the Town of Andover are provided under contract with the Massachusetts Electric Company. Thirty-two (32) additional lights were added to the Town system in 1966. In addition, thirteen (13) existing lights were changed with more modern lighting fixtures be- ing installed in their stead. The Town's street lighting system contains 1,276 lights.

The procedure for obtaining a street light is a relatively simple although a prolonged one. Re- quests must be made in writing to the Town Man- ager. He, in turn, requests a survey of the request and a recommendation by the Mass. Electric Company. On the basis of this recommendation and subject to the limitations of funds, street lights are installed. Lights may be installed only on accepted Town streets.

Engineering

The Town Engineer provides the plans, sur- veys, and field layout for many of the Town's projects, particularly in the public works field. He works with the Planning Board in the review of proposed subdivision plans and inspects the subdivision roudway and utility construction. He also assists all other Town departments in engine- ering matters and maintains the engineering records of the Town.

Planning and construction of public works projects this past year centered mainly on sewers and drainage. The necessary designs, specifica- tions, and field engineering were provided for 2860 lineal feet of sewer mains on Shipman Road, Wild Rose Drive, Holly Terrace, and Mo- raine Street installed under contract. The Town's public works crew installed 600 lineal feet of sew- er in the Town Yard as well as 1350 lineal feet of drainage principally on Argilla Road, Cross Street, Haggetts Pond Road and in the Town Yard with the aid of the Engineering Bureau. Included in engineering for these projects were the necessary easement and betterment plans.

Plans for 13 new subdivisions of land with a total of 314 lots were reviewed for the Planning Board for conformance with its rules and regula- tions and for the adequacy of the proposed utili- ties. During the year roadways and utilities un- der construction in some 11 subdivisions were regularly inspected for the Planning Board.

This office represented the Town in engineering matters in conferences with other governmental agencies, private corporations, pub- lic groups and many individual citizens. It main- tained the engineering records of the Town and was an aid to Town boards and other municipal departments requiring engineering services.

ONE HOUR PARKING THANK YOU

FLOWERS

ONE HOUR PARKING

GRECO

PLEASE

JEWELE

45.

THE HONOR SYSTEM

Drawing by F. B. Modell; c 1966 The New Yorker Magazine, Inc.

FLATS FIXED

GAS FLATS FIXES

BODY WORK

JOE'S

"It's not much, I know, but it gives the place a little pizzazz."

Vehicle Maintenance Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

2 $50,138 20¢

Sidewalks Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$6,712 2.7¢

Snow Removal Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$74,156 29¢

A THING OF THE PAST . . . OPEN BURNING AT THE TOWN LANDFILL

Sanitation and Waste Disposal

Sewers

Personnel

Expenditures

Monthly Cost Per Person

$30,813 12¢

The Town of Andover maintains a sanitary sewer system with approximately 2,400 connec- tions to residences and other uses. The system consists of approximately 78 miles of sewer mains. Approximately 30% of the Town's area is covered by the system and approximately 50% of the population of the Town is served. With the exception of a small treatment facility in Ballardvale, all sewage is dumped untreated into the Merrimack River.

Sewer operations during 1966 were essell- tially routine in character. The South Lawrence forced main had to be repaired at two manholes ; approximately 50 sewerage blocks were cleared ; and 64 new services were connected.

New mains were installed under supervision by private contract on Shipman Road, Moraine Street, and a portion of Wild Rose Drive. Plans, specifications and supervision as well as the pre- paration of betterment charges were handled by the engineer. Approximately 11,900 feet in sewer mains were added to the Town's system as the result of land subdivisions.

New State regulations were put into effect during 1966 relating to the installation of sewers particularly connections from the street mains to a building. Generally, the new regulations require that this work be undertaken by a licensed plum- ber. Except that the Town supervises the work, the individual property owner must contract with a private plumber or contractor and not with the Town.

Landfill

Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$49,655 20¢

The Town of Andover operates a landfill fifteen acres in size. Town residents and bus- inesses have access to the site at no charge but are required to abtain a facility sticker from the An- dover Police Department. The dumping of gar- bage or other organic waste is not permitted.

Garbage Collection

Personnel

Expenditures

By Contract $30,000

Monthly Cost Per Person

12¢

One of the more noteworthy and, certainly, most satisfying accomplishments in 1966 was the transformation of the town dump into a landfill operation. With the arrival in July of a Cater- pillar D7E bulldozer, the noxious, unsightly and unsanitary burning at the disposal area was eli- minated. For all intents and purposes, there has not been any uncontrolled and indiscriminate burning since July. The use of the new 24-ton jug- gernaut has permitted not only the elimination of most of the unsatisfactory conditions at the landfill but has prolonged the life of the area through the salvaging of previously used ground as well as the salvaging of cover material on the site.

The bulldozer unit was purchased on a "guaranteed bid" basis. That is to say, the bidder guaranteed and secured his guarantee by a per- formance bond that the cost of operating the unit would not exceed a stipulated amount over a three year period. Should repairs exceed the stipulated amount, the bidder is required to make up the dif- ference. In addition, the bidder guarantees the delivery of repair parts within five days of an order and, should delivery not be made within that period, is required to provide the Town with a substitute tractor unit at no cost to the Town. This represents the first occasion on which the Town has entered into such an agreement. There is every reason to believe that the Town will be- nefit from it.

Incinerator Unneccessary

There had been some misgivings expressed

in some quarters of the Town that the tractor. unit which was contemplated would not be satisfactory. Quite the opposite has been the ex- perience of the Town. Success in 1966 in establish- ing a landfill operation should make unnecessary any prolonged discussions over the erection and operation of an extremely expensive incinerator for rubbish disposal purposes. The sanitary land- fill technique is proving in Andover to be pos- sible. Its continuation and continuous improve- ment promise the most economical method of waste disposal.

Improvements Required

The landfill area will require some expansion preferably in 1967, with the acquisition of a 2- acre parcel immediately south of the present site on Greenwood Road. In addition, a larger and more secure garage will be required for the hous- ing of the bulldozer. At the same time, efforts will be made to find more suitable housing and sanitary facilities for the caretaker than are pre- sently possible with the use of a surplus trailer. Vandalism in 1966, both to the trailer and garage presented somewhat serious problems. Future plans, particularly in the repair of the site fence and its extension and more adequate lighting of the site and buildings, should reduce this problem to negligible proportions. It Is expected also that a start will be made in improving the upper area of the landfill in the direction of a recrea- tion area, especially ball fields. This can and should be a program development which should begin now in order that it be orderly and as eco- nomical as possible.

The scattering of paper as a result of high winds continued in the past year to present a problem. Snow fence was acquired during the year which will be erected in strategic locations so as to catch this paper and prevent its scatter- ing along the roadsides and into the wooded areas across from the landfill. The Boy Scouts from St. Augustine's Parish as well as other interested young people undertook during the past year to pick up a good deal of this paper, but unless a permanent solution is found, particularly in terms of erecting fencing, litter from the dump will continue to make the general area needlessly unsightly.

It would appear on the strength of the ex- perience of 1966 that the Town rubbish disposal area has ceased to be a neighborhood nuisance and instead is well on its way to becoming a com- munity asset.

Public Health

The Board of Health is comprised of three members appointed by the Town Manager for three year terms. The Health Department pro- vides environmental health programs, nuisance control, food and milk sanitation, disposal of garbage, enforcement of Health rules and reg- ulations, sanitary codes, plumbing and gas codes, air pollution control, dispensing of biological sup- plies and testing materials, referral services for crippled children and others afflicted with chron- ic diseases. Communicable disease control, chest X-ray clinics, and health education are among other functions of the Department.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASED DOWN

The incidence of communicable disease this year has been lower than it was during the pre- vious two years. Chicken pox and animal bites have remained at the same level but there was a slight increase in mumps and a marked decrease in measles.

The Board of Health issued 920 permits and licenses during the past year. The largest num- ber of these consisted of 92 septic tank permits, 82 milk licenses, 35 oleo licenses, 44 swimming pool permits, 65 food service establishment per- mits, 40 burial permits, 211 gas permits and 288 plumbing permits. Eighty-two complaints were investigated and processed.

The 456 health inspections and tests made during the past year include the following: Food Service Establishments 148, Sewage Disposal Systems 132, Farm Labor Camps 13, Piggeries 11, Semi-public Swimming Pools 13, Milk Samples 65. Water Samples 45, Swab Tests 28. TUBERCULOSIS DOWN

Only one tubercular patient was admitted and discharged from the hospital this year at a cost of $668 to the Town, the lowest amount spent for tuberculosis since 1960. Although 16 prema- ture babies were born in 1966, only 2 required financial assistance. The total cost was $24.00, the lowest on record. Effective January 1, 1967, the per diem charge for premature babies will be approximately 30% higher than the previous rate.

Personnel

Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

Full-time 2 Part-time 3 $19,248

8¢

SANITARY CODE AMENDED

Article XI of the State Sanitary Code entitl- ed "Minimum Requirements for the Disposal of Sanitary Sewage in Unsewered Areas" was amended as of August 15, 1966. One significant addition under the new regulations states that all Disposal Works Installers must obtain a permit from the Board of Health before engaging in the construction or alteration of any individual sew- age disposal system. These permits are filled with the State Department, thus enabling the local Board to keep an accurate record of qualified in- stallers.

CLINICS SPONSORED

The following clinics were sponsored by the Board of Health in 1966:

Animal Rabies, where approximately 600 dogs were inoculated, conducted by Dr. Lindsay ;

Glaucoma, under the direction of the Lions Club, revealed that there were 5 suspected cases of glaucoma out of the 142 individuals test- ed;

Vision screening, successfully carried out on 108 pre-kindergarten pupils, by the Ando- na Society ;

Measles vaccine, held for 100 under-pri- vileged children, at a local hospital.

A member of the State Department of Public Health conducted a Dental Survey for the first time at St. Augustine's School.

Follow-up work on tubercular patients, con- tacts of communicable diseases, premature babies, and crippled children was carried out as usual.

The long awaited "Uniform State Plumbing Code for Mass." became effective on August 15, 1966. These State regulations supercede the local laws that have been in effect since 1952 and will eliminate many problems for both the builder and the plumber.

Public Welfare

Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$144,886 57 ¢

The administration of the Public Assistance program in the Town of Andover is the responsi- bility of the Welfare Department. It is assisted in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities by a three-member Board of Public Welfare whose members are appointed by the Town Man- ager for three-year terms and serve without com- pensation. All employees of the Welfare Depart- ment are Civil Service appoinlees. The programs offered by the department are those required by the State and fall under two general headings -- General Relief, or what has been referred to in the past as "charities" and made available on a temporary basis to the Town's less fortunate cit- izens who are unable to provide the necessities of life, and Categorical Relief which includes Aid to Dependent Children, Medical Aid to the Aged, Old Age Assistance, Aid to the Permanent Total- ly Disabled. All programs are regulated closely by the State Department of Welfare both in terms of scope and eligibility. The Town receives reimbursements to the extent of approximately 75% of funds expended for the several welfare programs.

Public assistance expenses in 1966 increased over 1965 to the limit of the appropriation made for the past year. This is to be expected in view of the ever-increasing number of programs and the easing of program requirements for such help. The average monthly case load approximat- ed one hundred fifty (150) clients.

The exact effect of the Federal Medicare and Medicaid programs has yet to be determined. It would appear that it will tend to increase Wel- fare expenses primarily because of the broader coverages involved in terms of care and benefits as well as the relaxing of eligibility requirements.

The most perplexing problem faced in the Welfare Department in 1966 was not that of as- sistance but rather administration. The Welfare Director resigned his position on March 31 to ac- cept a similar position in Chelmsford. In the ab-

sence of a Civil service eligibility list the Town Manager made a provisional appointment of a Town resident who appeared to be highly quali- fied for the position. The appointee was a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with some twenty years of administrative experience. He possessed a Master's Degree in Education and was a certi- ficated guidance counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He possessed the personal attri- butes which this sensitive position required. The State Civil Service Department, however, ruled that in view of his not having had a minimum of one year's "social work" experience, he was not eligible for appointment. In spit of strong at- tempts to change the position of the State, the provisionally appointed Director's services were terminated abruptly by order of the State. Des- pite efforts to fill the position or to provide equi- valent professional assistance on a temporary ba- sis, the position of Director remains vacant. The Department continues to be staffed by a social worker and two clerks. It appears likely that in view of the circumstances involved in making an appointment the position will continue to re- main vacant until the requirements of the Civil Service Department can be met.

An interesting sidelight to this particular problem is the Civil Service Department's having conducted a so-called "grandfather" examination to permit employees of local Welfare Depart- ments to take promotional examinations for the several positions covered by Civil Service even though the Federal and State requirements on qualifications are not met. However, as of July 1, 1967, new regulations become mandatory. Recent- ly implemented Federal requirements as well as those adopted by Massachusetts require a Bache- lor's Degree in Sociology or its equivalent and a minimum of two years' experience or a Master's Degree and one year's experience.

It seems undortunante that it was not pos- sible to retain the services of the man who had been appointed and who during his brief tenure discharged the duties and responsibilities of this office successfully. Every effort will be made in 1967 to fill the position with a trained profes- sional social worker. The Town of Andover de- serves and can afford nothing less.

"LEST WE FORGET" TAPS FOR A VIETNAM CASUALTY

MEMORIAL DAY, 1966 PHILLIPS ACADEMY MEMORIAL TOWER

Veteran's Services

Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person

$42,371 17¢

The Veterans' Services Department is opera- ted under Chapter 115, General Laws of the Com- monwealth, for the purpose of providing financial assistance, when needed, and after full investiga- tion, to war-time, and under legislation passed in 1966; to some peace-time veterans, their families, dependents or survivors because of sickness, hos- pitalization, unemployment or old age.

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Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969, Part 34

Author: Andover (Mass.) Publication date: 1963 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 902

Author: Andover (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 902