USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 72
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Following is a list of some major decisions and action taken by the Board of Selectmen dur- ing 1969:
Inserted an Article in the Warrant calling for a Dog Control Law.
Established the Andover Citizen's Advisory Committee on Urban and Suburban Responsibil- ities. Retained the responsibility of appointing its members.
Issued a license to Greater Lawrence Com- munity Antenna, Inc. for operation of a cable antenna television system in Andover. (At this writing, this license has not been issued pending the result of legislation which is under considera- tion by the F.C.C. in Washington.)
Went on record as favoring increased bene- fits for town employees and their dependents as well as for retired employees for life and health insurance.
Accepted resignation of Richard J. Bowen as Town Manager effective May 22, 1969.
Discussed and viewed various drainage prob- lems.
Approved acquisition by the Town for school purposes the White land off South Main St. and the land west of Woburn St. and south of An- dover St. adjacent to the South School.
Received approval from HUD for an advance of $124,100 for plan preparation for water treat- ment plant.
Requested Traffic Study Committee to con- tinue with its study program of traffic situation in Andover.
Approved the acquisition of the Axelrod property off Lovejoy Road for a school site.
Authorized firm of Charles M. Evans As- sociates of Boston to make a revaluation of the Town's Classification and Pay Plan.
Appointed J. Maynard Austin to serve as Town Manager effective Sept. 2, 1969.
Approved inclusion in Warrant of Article which would provide for appropriation of neces- sary funds for payment to firemen of time and one-half for overtime.
Town Counsel
At the beginning of 1969, 38 court cases were pending as follows :
Eminent Domain
6
Appellate Tax Board Cases 18
Public Liability Cases 2
Zoning 6
Contract
4
Tort
1
Other
2
During the course of the year, 24 new claims arose as follows :
Eminent Domain
6
Appellate Tax Board 5
Public Liability 5
Zoning 1
Contract
4
Tort
1
Other 2
During the year, 23 cases were terminated.
During the course of the year, there were 46 appearances before courts, administrative bo- dies, and arbitrators.
Extensive written opinions were rendered on 53 matters. Documents of release, and contract approvals were prepared on 18 items. One deed was drawn. Four hundred twenty-three parcels of land were taken by eminent domain, of which 418 were the so-called "tea coupon" parcels on the banks of Haggett's Pond.
Oral opinions were given, and conferences were held with almost every department of the Town.
5
Tax Collector
Collections again reached an all time high during 1969 in the amount of $7,713,069.52 bro- ken down as follows :
Real Estate $6,702,963.24
Personal Property
278,958.72
Motor Vehicle Excise
663,257.24
All Other 67,890.32
$7,713,069.52
It had been anticipated that collections would reach eight million dollars this year but fell slightly short as the Holidays approached and collections dropped off.
With the added space now in the Collectors' Office and the Water Collections downstairs things seem to be running very efficiently.
TAX COLLECTOR'S RECEIPTS 1969
1969 REAL ESTATE
$6,550,384.91
1969 Apportioned Sewer 17,833.01
1969 Apportioned Water
2,557.11
1969 Committed Interest
9,755.29
1969 Water Liens
14,101.27
1969 Interest
2,104.73
1969 Demands
24.00
1969 Personal Property
$ 272,803.30
1969 Interest
3.94
1969 Farm Animal
521.50
1968 Real Estate
$ 141,534.18
1968 Apportioned Sewer
413.94
1968 Apportioned Water
162.78
1968 Committed Interest
378.60
1968 Interest
3,597.13
1968 Demands
347.00
1968 Personal Property
$ 4,535.30
1968 Interest
65.90
1968 Demands
146.00
1968 Farm Animal
116.50
1968 Interest
.58
1968 Demands
2.00
1967 Real Estate
$
9,827.43
1967 Apportioned Sewer
90.65
1967 Apportioned Water
124.08
1967 Committed Interest
126.79
1967 Interest
836.20
1967 Demands
39.00
1967 Personal Property
210.00
1967 Interest
.85
1967 Demands
2.00
1966 Personal Property
5.04.90
1966 Interest
41.95
1966 Demands
4.00
1965 Personal Property
421.60
1965 Interest 37.04
1965 Demands 2.00
1966 Real Estate 82.50
1966 Interest 10.42
1966 Demands
1.00
Apportioned Sewer Paid in Advance
$14,624.86
Apportioned Water Paid in Advance 952.45
Committed Interest Paid in Advance 289.19
Deferred Lien
194.40
1969 Motor Vehicle Excise
$594,548.16
1969 Interest
405.79
1969 Demands 1,718.00
1968 Motor Vehicle Excise
64,893.69
1968 Interest
263.29
1968 Demands
1,070.00
1967 Motor Vehicle Excise
216.71
1967 Interest
17.73
1967 Demands
14.00
1966 Motor Vehicle Excise
75.90
1966 Interest
5.48
1966 Demands
4.00
1963 Motor Vehicle Excise
9.90
1963 Interest 1.90
1963 Demands
2.00
1959 Motor Vehicle Excise
10.69
$7,713,069.52
MARGARET G. TOWLE FUND
Under the terms of her will, the late Mrs. Margaret G. Towle, long time resident of An- dover, bequeathed the residue of her estate to the Town of Andover, to be held by it as a perm- anent trust fund. This is now known as the Mar- garat G. Towle Fund. Mrs. Towle stipulated that the income from this fund be "devoted to the assistance or procurement of assistance for worthy persons residing within the Town of An- dover who may be in need of aid, comfort or sup- port on account of old age, disability or unem- ployment.".
The Fund is administered by a group of three trustees chosen by the Town Manager with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. There is no provision for a full or even part time social worker to search out needy cases with the result that the entire case load comes through referrals from the Town Welfare De- partment, other private charitable groups, the clergy and by individuals.
During 1969 the Trustees have met on a regular monthly schedule and also at other un-
6
scheduled times and have discussed and acted upon 21 separate cases. 67 vouchers have been issued calling for payment of $10,602.89 by the Town Treasurer, who has sole authority for ex-
pending funds. Total income for the year amount to $18,687.78. The balance of the fund at December 31, 1969 is $35,827.14.
JOHN CORNELL WOOD AND COAL FUND
ANDOVER SAVINGS BANK BOOK #13259
Andover
$1,000.00
ESSEX SAVINGS BANK BOOK #82865
Lawrence
1,000.00
BROADWAY SAVINGS BANK BOOK #13405
Lawrence
1,000.00
CITY INST. SAVINGS BANK BOOK #69782
Lowell
1,000.00
CENTRAL SAVINGS BANK BOOK #21760
Lowell
1,000.00
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand January 1, 1969
$2,329.57
Interest received during 1969
263.08
$2,592.65
EXPENDITURES
Cross Coal Company - September 1969
$ ,75.00
Balance on hand January 1, 1970
$2,517.65
Board of Assessors
The 1969 real estate assessed value of $175,556,000 indicates an increase of $12,132,700 over the previous year, and a total increase of $73,199,600 since 1965. The greater portion of this increase during the five year period repre- sents increased assessments by reason of the townwide equalization program which increased the 1967 assessed value by $49,374,00, and in- creases in industrial values during 1969 for new construction.
The assessed value of all personal property was increased this year by $376,700 to a total of $7,179,700. In 1965 the assessed value of all tax- able personal property was $4,971,800 which was able personal property was $4,971,800 which has increased during the five year period by $2,207,900.
It is anticipated that the annual increase in assessed valuations has reached its peak, and over the next few years should indicate a general level- ling off.
Town Treasurer
General Balance January 1, 1969 Receipts, including loans
$ 3,945,544.22 27,063,164.70 $31,008,708.92
Disbursements, including repayment
of tax anticipation loans
26,892,863.54
Balance December 31, 1969
$ 4,115,845.38
Interest on investment of surplus funds amounted to $190,867.05 as compared to $170, 050.45 in 1968. Rates were substantially higher with investments toward end of year in United States Treasury Bills.
Loans in anticipation of 1970 bonding were negotiated totalling $330.000.00. These were for water and sewer projects voted in 1968 and 1969. Loans in anticipation of revenue were secured totalling $1,000,000.00. TAX TITLES
One application to foreclose thirteen (13) titles of land of low value was prepared for filing with the Commissioner of Taxation and one peti- tion to foreclose through the Land Court. Ten (10) tax titles were redeemed. One sale by auc- tion of land of low value was held in July. Seven (7) parcels were sold and four (4) acquired for the Town as tax possessions.
Clerical work of the department increased greatly by reason of additional town and school personnel with resulting record-keeping of deduc- tions for taxes, dues, U.S. Bond purchases, United Fund contributions, payroll savings, Credit Union deductions, annuities, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and insurance premiums.
A FEW COMPARISONS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1969 :
Taxes withheld
1969 1956 $1,017,347.88 $ 129,877.09
U.S. Bond Deductions
24,172.50
6,704.48 14,742.00
Blue Cross-Blue Shield Deductions 56,393.28
Basic Group Insurance 33,084.00
None
Town Bonded Debt (principal)
14,195,000.00
2,610,000.00
7
Planning Board
The continuing growth of Andover, in 1969, meant continuing pressures on the Planning Board in areas relating to zoning and sub- division control. The Board reviewed eleven (11) subdivision plans of which (6) were pre- liminary and five (5) were definitive. These plans showed a total of two hundred and ninety- five (295) house lots. All five (5) of the defini- tive plans, containing one hundred and thirty- one (131) lots, were approved. Of the six (6) preliminary plans, two (2) containing sixty (60) lots were disapproved and four (4) con- taining one hundred and four (104) lots were approved. The Board also acted on plans for seventy-three (73) house lots on existing streets, certifying that they did not come under the pro- visions of subdivision control.
The Planning Board has, for the past sev- eral years, regularly taken part in hearings before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board representatives attending these meetings con- veyed the Planning Board's views on the thirty- eight petitions which were heard by the Board of appeals during the year.
During the year the Board had joint meet- ings with the Board of Selectmen, the School Board, the Board of Health, the Conservation Commission and the Industrial Development Commission. Its representatives regularly took part in the Central Merrimack Regional District Planning Commission which, incidently, is gradually expanding to include all the down- river towns. Legislation in the Massachusetts General Court and the New Hampshire legisla- ture was completed which empowers the inclu- sion of New Hampshire towns bordering on the present member towns of the Commission to join with them for wider regional activity.
As a result of its meetings with the Indus- trial Development Commission, the Planning Board offered to the Town Meeting changes in the Zoning By Law, with respect to industry, which simplified the zones by reducing them from five (5) to three (3) in number. In ad- dition, some paragraphs of the bylaw were re- vised for clarification and to strengthen controls over the screening and landscaping of industrial plants as well as some other strengthening pro- visions.
A study of recreation and open space, which was sparked by the Planning Board work on the most recent Capital Expenditures Pro- gram, has now been under way since late in 1968. This study has been done by the Planning Board's consultant, Sidney Shurcliff, under the direction of a committee authorized by the Sel- ectmen, comprised of representatives of the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and the School Board along with a representative of the Y.M.C.A. Board and member of the former recreation committee. It is expected that the re- port, now under preparation, will serve as a guide to Andover's open space and recreation needs and the means to provide them.
Social legislation concerning housing has been embodied into law by the General Court, permitting zoning law provisions and the build- ing code to be bypassed, if necessary, in order to construct subsidized low or medium income housing. Since the Andover Planning Board feels that this type of action should come from within the town itself, it has asked its consultant to survey the town's needs for such housing and plans to consult with the Andover Housing Authority on the results of the study. Also, be- ing considered, in the consultant's housing study, is the apartment situation in general, with the intent of giving better guidance to the town concerning garden apartment proposals which may come before the town meeting in the future.
CMVRPD
The Central Merrimack Valley Regional Planning District is a voluntary organization of cities and towns created under the laws of the Commonwealth. In 1968, the area of jurisdiction of the District was expanded for the second time to include the City of Newburyport and the Towns of Amesbury, Newbury, Rowley and Salis- bury. The District is now responsible for region- al planning activities in 15 cities and towns wth a total population (1965) of 232,788 persons in a 279 square mile area. Boxford, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley and Salisbury remain as non- participating communities.
The District Commission consisting of one member and one alternate from each member
8
community, maintains an office and staff loca- ted at 477 Essex Street, Lawrence, Massachu- setts. Regular meetings are held at the District Office on the third Thursday of each month and are open to the public. The Officers of the District elected in April were:
Chairman Mr. Stephen Sewasky, Jr. Haverhill Vice-Chmn Mr. Edward Fitzgerald, Jr. Groveland Treasurer Mr. Jean B. Ippolito Lawrence Asst. Treas Mr. William A. Lindsay W Newbury Secretary Mr. Clayton Sibley Merrimac
The District is charged by law to create and maintain a comprehensive regional plan for its area of jurisdiction. All major elements of the comprehensive plan have been adopted for the Lawrence Subregion, but work is still in progress expanding the plan to include the Haverhill and Newburyport Subregions. During the year the District prepared a Land Use Report which will be published early in 1970.
The District's efforts in the matter of water pollution abatement had met with success in the approval, in 1968, of the Greater Lawrence Sani- tary District by act of the Legislature. This was followed on January 8, 1969, by a kick-off dinner, sponsored by the District, of the Greater Law- rence Sanitary District. The dinner acknowledg- ed the assistance of the many officials and citi- zens who, in the past, had participated in this joint inter-community endeavor. It also provided an opportunity for the initial organization of the Sanitary District Commission. The Commission is composed of the following individuals :
Mr. Donald C. Bassett
Andover
Mr. John A. Craig Methuen Atty. John E. Fenton, Jr. Lawrence
Mr. John L. Finneran North Andover
Mr. Donald A. George Methuen Atty. Max Goldstein Lawrence
Mr. Anthony F. Lautieri
Lawrence
On a temporary basis, the Commission held its meetings at the Regional Planning Office, with some secretarial duties being performed by the Regional Planning staff as an aid to the Sanitary District during its formation. In April, the Great- er Lawrence Sanitary District opened its own of- fice located at 598 Essex Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Mr. William K. McAllister who had joined the District as Junior Planner in 1968, resigned in August in order to return to school to complete his educational training. At a special meeting, December 29th, the Commission confirmed the appointment of Richard Shnitzler as Senior Plan- ner. Mr. Shnitzler is expected to actually join the staff early in February.
The District as a principal co-sponsor as- sisted in the organization of two seminars con- cerning Route 495. These were held at Merrimack College on January 25th and at Bradford Junior College on September 25th, respectively. The seminars brought a wide range of interested or- ganizations, state and municipal personnel to- gether. All future aspects of the route and its potential effects on the communities through which it passes were discussed.
April 1969 found the District acting as spon- sor to the organization of a Transportation Co-
ordinating Committee for the District Region. The TCC members formulated By-Laws which would result in close coordination between the Transportation Coordinating Committee and the Regional Planning District Commission.
In May, the District acted to co-sponsor the application for the formation of a tri-county Re- source Conservation and Development Project for Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties.
The District continued to process Federal Aid Applications under the terms of the Federal Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Develop- ment Act. The Act requires that applications made by state and local agencies for financial assist- ance under most Federal Community Develop- ment Programs must be reviewed by the Regional Planning Agency for consistancy with the Reg- ional Plan. During the year, the District process- ed seven such applications for projects within the district as follows :
Federal Applications Reviewed by the Central Merrimack Valley Regional Planning District 1969
APPLICANT
PROJECT
TOTAL COST AID REQUESTED
North Shore Health Planning Council
Recognition of organization & application for organizational & operational funds from fed. govt.
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
Union Mission Nursing Home (Haverhill)
Construction of 21/2story, 120 bed facility
$1,288,000
$1,089,000 (combination loan & grant)
DPW (Mass)
Route #495-133 Interchange
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
Town of Methuen
Water System Improvements
$ 820,000
$ 350,000 (grant) ·
Bon Secours Hospital (Methuen)
Cobalt Treatment Facility
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
Merrimack Valley Health Planning Council
Recognition of organization & application for organizational & operational funds from fed. govt.
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
Merrimack Valley Baptist Hospital (Haverhill)
Construction of 300 bed facility
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
At the time of preparation of this report final figures on Federal and State Grants were not available. Expenditures for the year totaled $28,621.52. The District was financed primarily
by annual payments from the member communi- ties based on a per capita assessment rate of .091546.
10
Municipal Buildings
PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER BUILDING COM- MITTEE :
Following is a progress report of the con- struction on the Public Safety Center in April, 1969. Since that time, work has progressed steadily, the only delay being caused by an extended period of rainy weather in Novem- ber which held up the roofing work for nearly three weeks. However, the Building Committee is pleased to report that substantial completion is scheduled for February, 1970. Final completion of site work, landscaping, and finish coat of hot top will have to wait for spring, but this will not affect occupancy.
The Building Committee would like at this time to mention two people who have contributed greatly to the success of this project. First, Mr. Philip J. Burne, our architect, whose design of this building embodies the traditional feeling as- sociated with our town as well as the functional layout necessary for modern fire fighting and police work. Second, Mr. Raymond G. Mansour, our general contractor, for his industry, helpful attitude, and quality workmanship.
WEST SCHOOL ADDITION REPORT
Herewith is the second annual report of the building committee of the West School Addition.
From the date of its initial meeting on No- vember 30, 1967, there have been 38 regular and many ad hoc meetings. Construction of the school began November 4, 1968.
The architect's drawings show twenty-four classrooms. There are 10 in each of two clusters, two classrooms for special purposes, and two kin- dergarten classrooms.
To conform to modern methods of instruc- tion there is an Instruction Material Center, an audio-visual room and areas for arts and crafts · preparation.
A gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria are also provided.
At this writing (early January 1970) the project is a little more than one-half completed.
The building committee and others identified with the addition realize the urgent need for the structure and trust that the children will occupy the school in September of this year.
The following describes the current (Dec. 31, 1969) financial status :
Total Budget : $2,330,000.00
Total Expended : 1,125,451.75
Total Balance : 1,204,548.25
Conservation Commission
With the continuing support of the towns- people, the Conservation Commission carried for- ward its land acquisition program. Since the An- nual Town Meeting of March, 1967 voted a $250,000 bond issue to purchase conservation land, the Commission has expended a total of $196,800. The two parcels acquired during 1969 are:
14 Acres of Essex Bituminous Concrete gravel pit (next to the Recreation Park) 52 acres abutting Fish Brook dam site and Brundrett Avenue., between River Road and the Merrimack River, the former Shla- kis farm.
Still to be decided is the award for the form- er Brox property near Husseys Pond in Shaw- sheen Village, taken in 1968 by eminent domain.
Town Meeting of March and October of 1969 voted to transfer two town-owned parcels to the management and control of the Conserva- tion Commission :
24 acres of Carmel Woods.
10 acres at intersection of Wood Hill Road and High Plain Road.
This brings the total acreage under jurisdic- tion of the Conservation Commission to approxi- mately 275.
The State Department of Natural Resources awarded the Town the sum of $42,000 from its "Self-Help" Fund, for the purchase of the David- son property. Preliminary approval for the maxi- mum 50% refund was received for the Shlakis purchase (completed, for $70,00) and the Gara- bedian purchase (not yet completed, for $34,400) .
Since the October, 1969 Town Meeting voted to transfer back to the Conservation Fund the $42,000 awarded by the State for the 1968 David- son purchase, the Conservation Commission feels it can proceed to negotiate for the several other important land acquisitions it hopes to make on behalf of the Town.
11
At the suggestion of the Conservation Com- mission, the Town Manager and Selectmen ap- pointed seven new committees, each one under the chairmanship of a member of the Conserva- tion Commission, and consisting of 4 to 6 mem- bers, to assume responsibility for the care and management of the various lands under the control of the Conservation Commission. These appointees are to be known as Conservation Land Overseers.
The Commission intends to adopt a set of Rules and Regulations governing the use of lands under control. These were under study at the end of the year. When adopted, they will be pub- lished in the press and posted in the Town Hall.
Two members of the Conservation Commis- sion have been serving on a Recreation Commit- tee under the chairmanship of Mrs. Margaret R. Keck of the Planning Board, which will shortly issue a plan and recommendations for open space acquisition and outdoor recreational development for Andover.
In April, the Resource Inventory, prepared for the Town by the Essex County Natural Re- sources Technical Team, was presented to an interested group of Town officials and citizens by Mr. Robert Morehouse of the U.S. Soil Con- servation Service. This report has been very use- ful in the preparation of the Open Space and Rec- reational Plan mentioned above.
Planning for the development of Pomps Pond and its surrounding recreational and con- servation areas made several notable advances in 1969. Aerial survey and topographic mapping of the area prerequisite to detailed planning was completed.
Under the direction of the Town Manager, Mr. Ralph Soule of Camp, Dresser and McKee prepared a report which recommended the use of the nearby well to augment and improve the water of Pomps Pond during the bathing sea- son. Approval under the Hatch Act having been received, the Town expects to construct the necessary dike and piping to accomplish this for the 1970 season. The same dike can also serve as part of the construction of a wildlife marsh area between Pomps Pond and the Shawsheen River proposed by the Soil Conservation Service in a report received by the Conservation Commission in 1969. A detailed long-range plan for the en- tire area, which includes Water Department, Recreation Department and Conservation Com- mission holdings, should be prepared during
.
1970, before any further development of the area is undertaken.
The Conservation Commission accepted with deep and sincere regret, and appreciation for de- voted service, the resignation of its former Chair- man Mr. Heinrich Rohrbach who left Andover for retirement to his native Germany in August. One of his last official acts was to complete the erection of the first sign designating a Conserva- tion Commission reservation at the Carmel Road entrance to Carmel Woods. Mr. Rohrbach was instrumental in persuading the townspeople to transfer Carmel Woods to the Commission at the March 1969 Town Meeting.
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