USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 46
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away, some efforts were made during the year to plan more effective and efficient use of Town Hall space as well as necessary repairs. The moving of the Welfare Department offices to rented space had the dual effect of providing this vital and sensitive department more and more suitable space. It also meant that the Police Department could have sorely needed offices al- though they still fall far short of the depart- ment's needs. It appears likely that more moves and extensive repairs will be required in 1968.
Repairs to the electrical system at the Bal- lardvale Community Center were undertaken during the year. As a landlord, the Town was compelled at least to maintain its property in a safe condition. Additional work remains to be done at the Center particularly the replacement of exterior doors and repairs to the fire escape and kitchen.
Window planters were constructed and in- stalled on the Town Hall by students from the Regional Vocational School.
The West Andover Community Association Building (the old "North" School) was painted at no cost to the Town by the Merrimack Valley Chapter, Painters and Decorating Contractors of America. This was the first of several promo- tional efforts by the organization and certainly made a difference to what was fast becoming an eye-sore.
West Andover Community Association Building - Courtesy Merrimack Valley Chapter Painting And Decorating Contractors Association.
"Voke" School Erecting Town Hall Planters
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Building Committees
BANCROFT SCHOOL
This Committee believes that its job is, first, to see that the Bancroft School is built well and, secondly, to see that it is finished as promptly as possible. Construction began in September, 1967, and the Committee is pleased with the quality of work to date. The target date for completion re- mains September, 1968.
The Bancroft School has now been in the works for over two and one-half years, since ap- proval by the School Committee of the Educa- tional Specifications in September, 1965. Mr. William Warner was chosen to be the architect in July, 1966, and a site was approved by a Special Town Meeting that Fall. Since that time, plans have been drawn and approved and the final specifications put out to competitive bid. To the dismay of all, only one bid was received - and that considerably higher than anticipated. After lengthy consideration, the Committee recom- mended that this bid be accepted. The Committee was convinced that calling for bids again would not result in either more bidders or a lower cost. Town Meeting in August, 1967, was asked to appropriate $1,800,000., a sum sufficient to build, but not equip, the Bancroft School. The Article was approved.
It should be noted that the appropriation for building this elementary school is based on a con- tract bid price. The process differs from any other followed in the construction of a school in Andover. While the Building Committee will, at the Town Meeting this Spring, request funds to equip the school, it appears unlikely that the Town will be asked for further construction funds.
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Model Of Bancroft Elementary School
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
OCCUPANCY - is the most important topic of this report.
Last year, our report was headed "Construction Underway" after many delays. Now, at last, the "End" is in sight and occupancy is imminent at the date of this report.
After construction began in April 1966, our budget was carefully examined and, despite tight accounting and planning, funds once again prov- ed insufficient. Our request was delayed as long as possible so as to cover every conceivable cir- cumstance which might arise and, at a Special Town Meeting in August 1967, we submitted a request for an additional $300,000. After a thorough examination by the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen, the amounts of $52,000 for field repairs: $35,700 for fencing; and $12,300 for contingencies were removed and $200,000 was appropriated for equipment; field house; gym partitions; and curbing. A stipula- tion was made, and understood by the Selectmen and Finance Committee, that articles for fencing and field repair might be submitted to the an- nual Town Meeting of March 1968 in aggregate amounts not to exceed the $100,000 removed from our original request.
Construction progress was questioned on 14 March 1967 during a meeting of all concerned at the Rolling Green Motel. The General Contractor and Architects assured those present that the 1 August 1967 date for completion would definitely be met. Members of the Committee were skeptical and, unfortunately, this skepticism was correct for 1 August was not met. A new date was established at 15 November by the General Con- tractor, although faced with a $100 per day liquidated damages assessment from 1 August on but the Building Committee decided that 15 December was a more sensible date and so voted it.
The fields, although not finished to the de- sired degree, were accepted subject to the Con- tractor (MoDel) reversing the mesh on the baseball backstops. He has now been notified, with the required five day notice, that he is to complete the job or we shall hire someone to ac-
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complish the work and backcharge the costs to him.
Similarly, the General Contractor, E. H. Porter Company, has been placed on notice that we expect to do items which are unnecessarily delayed, or not done at all, and all costs will be backcharged against him.
The interior of the classroom building was accepted as substantially complete on 28 Decem- ber with the exception of all windows, inside and
out. We are currently engaged in having these windows cleaned and costs will be backcharged to Porter Company.
The School Department is now preparing the building for actual occupancy by students on 5 February 1968. We sincerely hope that this is one date which will be definitely met.
There is still much finish work to be done but now - -
"THE END IS IN SIGHT".
Conservation Commission
Mark W
Andover intends to keep some of its open space and is willing to pay for it. The startling proposition to bond a quarter of a million dollars for conservation land acquisition, fully aired be- fore Town Meeting by a sympathic press, passed by a unanimous vote. Thus armed with a sizable fund and a vote of support, your Conserv- ation Commission has embarked on an acquisition program with zeal and enthusiasm.
Six parcels of land to be acquired were enumerated in the vote establishing the bond is- sue. Of these, the Conservation Commission had reached agreement to purchase four, all in the vicinity of Pomps Pond, by year's end: two par- cels owned by Essex Sand and Gravel Co., includ- ing the approaches to their gravel pit, and the half of the pit not already owned by the Town, and the two parcels owned by the Foster brothers
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between Pomps Pond and the Shawsheen River. Total acreage is approximately seventy-five. Ap- plications to the state for Self-Help funds have already been made, although reinbursement will probably not be a full 50% of purchase price in these cases because the state can only award 50% of the highest appraisal.
Negotiations are continuing for the other two parcels and agreement to purchase should be reached in 1968. The Conservation Commission does have the statutory authority, by 2/3 vote of Town Meeting, to acquire a particular parcel of land by eminent domain, a power it will reluct- antly seek to exercise if necessary to acquire key areas.
The vote to appropriate $250,000 to acquire open space land allowed inclusion at a later date by further Town Meeting action of other parcels of land. The Conservation Commission has been investigating many other sites for possible acqui- sition for open space, for Andover is large in area and still blessed with much unspoilt and undeveloped acreage. Land values are steadily ris- ing, and increasing tax pressure on the one hand and development pressure on the other are forc- ing many land-owners to sell. In this situation, the Conservation Commission must be opportun- ists on behalf of the Town to acquire as many acres of significant open space as rapidly as pos- sible.
Purchase is not the only means of acquisi- tion. "Cluster" subdivision of new residential areas sometimes leaves significant open space which the developer may be willing to donate to the case with 25 acres of beautiful meadow and marsh bordering the right bank of the Shaw- sheen River, donated by Frank Catalano to the Town to be held in trust by the Conservation Commission when he purchased and subdivided land formerly owned by the Foster Brothers off Central Street.
Andover received its first Self-Help reim- bursement check from the Commonwealth, in the amount of $3500, or half the purchase price for the Davideit land on Fish Brook. Mr. Rohrbach was awarded the check by Arthur Brownell, Director of Conservation Services of the DNR, at the October meeting of the Mass. Assoc. of Con- servation Commissions.
The Federal Soil Conservation Service com- pleted the field work for the limited Soil Survey for Andover in 1967, and supplied some prelim- inary information requested by the Town. Re-
ports evaluating the survey results and the new soil map are expected shortly.
The Commission requested a Resource In- ventory from the Essex Conservation District in 1966. Federal and state technicians collaborate in this free service to communities, evaluating the town's natural assets and recommending possibilities for preservation and/or develop- ment. The Resource Inventory is expected to be completed during 1968.
Various town officials have long been con- cerned with improvement and future use of Pomps Pond and environs. At the request of the Town Manager the Conservation Commission gathered together available data and numerous ideas for improvements and reported to the Selectmen its recommendations for Pomps and the surrounding area, some of which it is busy acquiring, and all of which constitutes one of the prime recreational and open space assets of the Town.
Mr. Rohrbach donated both trees and labor to plant his own strain of pink locusts on the property known as Rogers Dell at the corner of Lupine Road and School Street, which a vote of Town Meeting transferred to the control of the Conservation Commission in March.
Mrs. Kellogg has been appointed to serve as Andover's representative on the Conservation Council for U.S. Interstate Route 495.
The Commission regretfully accepted the resignation of Mr. Winthrop Newcomb, who is moving away from Andover. Mr. Robert Hender- son of the Andover Savings Bank was appointed to succeed him in October.
Land conservation is a long-range idea that requires constant attention and continuing ex- penditure of money. When land is plentiful, it benefits everyone. Until recent years, Andover's open land was plentiful and its abundance was a key factor in making the town such an attractive residential community.
No longer is Andover land plentiful. No longer is it inexpensive. But land is still the dominant factor which shapes the character of the town. Conservation seeks to maintain and enhance that character by acquiring land - for all the people of the town, today and twenty-five years from today.
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AVIS ACTIVITIES
The Town's conservation activities have been augmented during 1967 by the work of the An- dover Village Improvement Society. With the volunteer help of many members, a group of Phillips Academy students, and such regular users of AVIS reservations as Boy and Girl Scout troops, new or improved trails have been estab- lished at Deer Jump, Indian Ridge, and Baker's Meadow reservation. The new trail at Deer Jump provides a round trip of somewhat less than a mile, starting from the parking area off River Road at the western end, for convenient viewing of a magnificent grove of mountain laurel during the June blooming period. In addition, extensive clearing and removal of litter was accomplished with the aid of these groups.
The Society made some important conser- vation acquisitions in 1967. First, a license was obtained from the Boston and Maine Railroad for public use of a piece of their property on the Shawsheen River. This area is on the west bank of the river about a half mile above the Ballardvale Dam and consists of 4 acres of splendid woods. It is a delightful place to stop for lunch while canoeing on the river. It is accessible only from the river, and there are two good landing places on which have been placed identifying signs. The Society's Shawsheen River holdings have been further enlarged by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hatch of a piece of land containing about a quarter of an acre on Lupine Road, ex- tending rather steeply down to the river. It ad- joins another piece along Lupine Road which was given to AVIS in 1961 by Mr. Harry Sellars. It thus enlarges the area available to the public for access to the river and is suitable for small boat launching.
In December, AVIS purchased 12 acres of woodland lying between Rocky Hill Road and Route 125 and adjoining an 8-acre parcel pre- viously given to the Society by Phillips Academy. The combined areas will be called the "Rocky Hill Reservation." Like all AVIS holdings, it is open to the public and should provide scenic and pleasant hiking. This purchase was made possi- ble through gifts of the Nathaniel and Elizabeth P. Stevens Foundation and the Andover Garden Club. Finally, Mr. Sidney P. White gave to the Society about 350 square feet of land at the south side of Baker's Meadow, making it possible to establish a trail on dry land around the pond for public use without trespassing on his property.
The trail has already been relocated so that it now lies entirely on AVIS land.
As a public service, AVIS initiated a film series during 1967 to bring to Andover outstand- ing conservation and wildlife movies. Two pro- grams of Audubon Society films were presented in the Spring. A third program was offered at the Society's annual meeting in November when two movies, each having wonderful sequences on native wildlife, were shown and narrated by the photographers, Carl Scott and Jack Swedburg of Millbury, Mass. All three programs were free and open to all. A film series is planned again for 1968.
Industrial and Development Commission
Industrial developers who are searching for sites in the Boston Region are now concentrating their interest on land adjacent to the arterial roads beyond Route 128. U.S. Route 495 has speed- ed up transportation within the Merrimack Val- ley, and has made this area more accessible to the entire Northeast. These factors greatly favor industrial development in Andover.
West Andorer Industrial Zone.
Union Paste Co. has acquired forty (40) acres east of U.S. Route 93, plant construction to begin in 1968. This development has become pos- sible through the completion, in 1967, of the West Andover water loop which now provides water flow for fire fighting purposes.
Lilly Construction Co., with R. M. Bradley & Co., acting as agents, plans to develop the in- dustrial area northwest of the River Road/Route 93 interchange, to be known as "River Road Park." Large-scale development in this area re- quires the installation of town sewers. An engi- neering study has been completed; the Commis-
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sion recommends going ahead when expenditures are economically justified.
Lowell Junction Industrial Zone
At the point where Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington meet, Warehouse Service Co. is erec- ting a 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse, half of which is located in Andover. The Commission aided in the obtaining of a variance for this firm, and then a permanent zoning amendment, to facilitate installation of railroad siding.
Gillette Safety Razor Co. has acquired 150 acres for a manufacturing facility. The firm took this important step after Town Meeting approved a bond issue of $1 million for improvement of roads, sewers and water lines. A building permit for a $3.9 million plant has been granted; both the Company and the Town are proceeding with engineering and construction.
Miscellaneous Developments
The firm of Adams, Howard and Oppermann
which has gained a thorough knowledge of the Town from years of work for the Planning Board, has been retained to furnish professional con- sultation and to prepare a comprehensive report on questions of industrial development. Close con- tact is also being maintained with the Planning Board.
Raytheon Co. is re-evaluating its Andover op- eration to decide whether to renovate, add to the present plant or build a new one. The Commission has been assisting Raytheon and the Town ad- ministration in an attempt to keep the largest taxpayer in town.
The Commission has furnished information and aid to many prospects who are showing gen- uine interest in Andover. All such contacts are being carefully followed and extended. The Ando- ver Fact Sheet has been updated as of January 1, 1968.
6.1.1.1.4.1.1.
Gillette To Locate Here
Board of Appeals
West Andover Industrial Area
As provided by Section 14, Chapter 40A of the General Laws, the Board of Appeals during the year 1967 heard 37 cases which were disposed of as follows :
28 petitions granted 4 petitions denied 2 petitions withdrawn 3 petitions pending
A total of $574.50 for advertising fees was collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
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Council on
Ageing
Karen A. Wrigley
The Council continued its survey which be- gan last year. Approximately 2,700 questionnaires were mailed out to citizens sixty (60) years of age or older. The questionnaire included questions re- garding interests, desires and needs of the aging, in Andover. The results of the survey indicated a desire for a drop-in center, social get-togethers in- cluding trips, transportation, and that local indus- try should be urged to hire older people. The Council also surveyed the present activity in An- dover for the aging, the results of which indicated that there was no activity except that which was provided by several of the churches.
During the year the Council in its search for a drop-in and referral center secured an option to lease premises on Main Street. However, the Council's request for funds for rent, which would have been reimbursed in part by the State under Title III, was disapproved by the Town Finance Committee. The Council has continued its efforts to obtain a drop-in center since the senior citizens have expressed an active interest and desire for such a center, and, additionally, have indicated
that they will help staff such a facility.
The Council sponsored a number of trips and social functions, all of which were well attended.
The first open meeting was held at Central School. The meeting included a community sing led by Mr. J. Everett Collins, with Mrs. Jessie Higgins at the piano. Also an historical sketch and slide presentation of Andover was given by Mr. George Walsh, principal of Stowe School, and Mr. Leslie Bartow, Recreation Director for An- dover. During refreshments there was a display of hand work including rugs and paintings cre- ated by some of those attending the meeting.
Later in the year an open meeting luncheon was held at the Greater Lawrence Regional Vo- ca tional Technical High School in West Andover. The menu was prepared and served by the stu- dents of the Culinary Arts Department under the supervision of Chefs Edward Coakley, and Mrs. Dorothy E. Emerson, and Baker Rosmick Ajemian. Mrs. Florence McGrath of the Central School was of great assistance in working out the arrangements for the luncheon.
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Several trips were sponsored by the Council and included a trip and luncheon to Strawberry Banke, New Hampshire; and a trip to view the Welsh and Scots Guard at the Boston Garden. A fall foilage trip to New Hampshire was cancelled at the last moment because of bad weather.
The Council was ably assisted in receiving reservations for the trips by Mrs. Nicoll of the Veterans Service Affairs Department.
It should be noted that the Council was great- ly saddened by the passing of one of its members, Fay Elliot, whose ideas, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose were of significant help to the Council.
The Council also initiated preparation of an information folder on the services and opportuni- ties available to the aging. Completion and dis- tribution is expected to take place early next year.
Public Safety
NºMAIN ST
LEWIS ST
Andover Public Safety Center
Police Department
In 1967 there was a slight decrease in the crime of breaking and entering, ninety-four (94) as aginst 104 in 1966. There were 288 larcenies reported to the police in 1967, an increase of 14 over 1966. There were 113 larcenies over $50.00 in value. Also during the year a total of fifty-six (56) automobiles were stolen which is almost triple the total of twenty-one (21) stolen in 1966. However, twenty (20) of the cars were taken in a two month period by two (2) fourteen year old boys. With the apprehension of the boys, the rate of car theft dropped considerably. Of the fifty-six
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00
Robert Shealf
Diane Griffin- -
(56) cars that were stolen forty-eight (48) of them were recovered.
In 1967 the police department issued 3,496 parking tickets and 486 violation notices were sent to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. During the year the police vehicles traveled 283,771 miles.
During the year there were 562 reportable accidents in Andover. This is an increase of 121 over 1966. There were four (4) fatal accidents, 252 personal injury accidents and 310 property damage accidents. Twenty per cent of the total accidents (121) occurred on Routes 93 and 495, as did all the fatal accidents, three on Route 93
and one on Route 495. With regard to the operators of vehicles involved in the accidents, 359 were Andover residents and 605 were from out of town. The worst days for accidents in Andover are Friday (119) and Saturday (104), and the worst hours are between 3:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. (162). As to type of accidents, there were 147 rear end collisions, 224 angle collisions, 44 head on collisions, 103 vehicles hit fixed objects twenty-six (26) vehicles drove off the roadway, eleven (11) pedestrians were injured by motor vehicles and there were five (5) miscellaneous accidents.
Two policemen took my friend to the hospital, when she got a nail in her foot. And they took the mail out of her foot.
The Policeman canhelp you very much. When you are hurt they can save your life I amglad& that God made our freind the Policeman
The life that was saved was mine
police are alert
The Policeman helps me when I am kidnaped.
.
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POLICE STATISTICS
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
Breaking and Entering
94
104
79
87
43
Larceny :
Over $50.00
113
74
72
85
48
Under $50.00
175
190
84
97
67
Stolen Cars
56
21
19
17
9
Motor Vehicle Violations
486
425
132
345
430
Motor Vehicle Accidents
562
441
389
397
336
Motor Vehicle Injuries
252
200
189
192
162
Motor Vehicle Deaths
4
4
2
4
0
SPEED KILLS - SLOW DOWN AND LIVE!
E
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Elizabeth Schneider
Fire Department
The Fire Department is established and maintained by the municipality to provide pro- tection to the public against injury, loss of life or property by fire, explosion or other causes. Be- cause of the importance and the hazardous nature of this work, the firefighter engaged in it must possess stamina and courage of the highest order. In addition, however, he must possess certain spe- cific knowledge concerning his work if he is to perform his duties efficiently and with minimum of risk to himself and to his fellow firefighters. He should have detailed knowledge of the dan- gers arising from heat, smoke, explosions, etc., caused by fire; of the hazards presented by new industries, processes and materials developed by science; of the construction of buildings and the hazards involved in the materials used or stored in them; and of the dangers inherent in the use of water at high pressures.
Objectives of fire protection are to prevent fire from starting to prevent loss of life and prop- erty in case fire starts ; to confine fire to the place of origin and to extinguish it.
From the point of view of Town Government, this involves the services of fire preventions and fire fighting. Fire fighting because it requires pos- itive and dramatic action has a far greater appeal for people than have fire prevention measures which involve restrictions, prohibitions and ad- ministrative "interference" with what are termed "individual rights".
Ambulance service is also provided by the department for both emergency and medical sit- uations. With the ever-increasing medical use of the ambulance and its inherent abuses, a review of the service on an emergency basis only should be held with a study to decide whether or not charges for this type service should be instituted which, in most cases, may be covered under exist- ing medical and health insurances and aid.
The Fire Department installs, repairs and maintains a coded fire alarm system comprising some three million feet of wiring, both aerial and underground, and associated street boxes and sta- tion equipment for controlling the system.
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