USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1964 > Part 7
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Charles H. Hadley John B. Sousa
Thomas A. Palmer
Edwin R. Hodgson
Frank Baran
John P. Campbell
William A. McAllister
James F. Midgley
Intermittent Patrolmen
Henry F. Mullen
Edward M. Rooney Raymond P. McKeon
John J. O'Rourke
Frederick C. Dillon
Eugene W. Walsh
Herbert E. Ringerson
Robert G. Peterson
Ronald Pick
Armand J. Caron
J. Dennis Harrington
Intermittent Police Woman Christina N. Park Arrests for 1964
Crimes Against Public Order 201
Crimes Against Person
19
Crimes Against Property
63
TOTAL 283
DISPOSITIONS-Released 18; Fined 120; Filed 22; House of Cor- rection 4; Dismissed 6; Probation 35; Suspended 2; Not Guilty 4; Con- tinued 4; Turned over to Lowell 28; Turned over to Shore Patrol 1; Turned over to Middlesex Training School 1; Turned over to Salem Police 1; Turned over to Shirley School 1; Worcester State Hospital 2;
98
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
Turned over to Acton Police 1; Turned over to Boston Police 1; Turned over to Newton Police 1; Youth Service Board 6; V.A. Hospital 1; Turned over to Gloucester 1; Turned over to Lawrence 1; Turned over to Arling- ton 1; Walpole State Prison 21. Total 283.
Statistics of the Police Department for the year 1964: number of accidents and persons claiming injuries. January 40, injured 25; Febru- ary 51, injured 34; March 40, injured 27; April 29, injured 16; May 30, injured 31; June 19, injured 10; July 31, injured 24; August 35, injured 34; September 37, injured 24; October 24, injured 15; November 26, in- jured 33; December 48, injured 32. Total accidents 410. Total injured 305. Fatals-none.
Police answered 3,802 calls, served 737 summonses for out of town Police Departments, recovered 44 stolen cars, found 160 business places unlocked, made 283 arrests. The four cruisers patrolled 283,038 miles in 1964.
The year 1964 was a busy year for your Police Department as you can see by the preceding statistics.
As the town grows, a greater demand is placed on your Police De- partment for various services; in particular the number of homes to be checked when residents are on vacation. This is a very important phase of police work and I urge all residents to notify the Police Department when they are leaving on vacation, so that we may better serve you.
We expected to be in the new Police Station in the early fall of 1964 but due to the submitted bids being higher than the amount of money voted at the Special Town Meeting, construction cannot start until additional money is voted at the Annual Town Meeting in March of 1965. If the funds needed are voted we should be in the new station in the early fall of 1965.
The Auxiliary Police Band, under the able direction of Sergeant Basil Larkin, plans to continue the Band Concerts again this year as they have the past several years, which I feel brings a great deal of pleasure to young and old alike.
At the present time we have thirty Auxiliary Police Officers, com- pletely uniformed and well trained in all phases of police work which they would be called upon to perform in case of an emergency. Sgt. Larkin is in charge of this fine group of dedicated citizens.
I wish to express my thanks to the Board of Selectmen and all other town officials and employees and also to the general public for the ex- cellent cooperation given to the Police Department during the past year.
Signed: RALPH J. HULSLANDER Chief of Police.
In Memoriam
PETER F. FITTS
Peter F. Fitts was appointed an intermittent patrolman on November 30, 1956, and appointed a regular patrolman on March 3, 1958, he died October 21, 1964 as the result of an accident.
His experience and faithfulness to duty will long be remem- bered by his fellow officers and the townspeople of Chelmsford.
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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ernest G. Byam, Chief
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Town of Chelmsford continues to build at a rapid rate, and this in turn causes an increase in requests for assistance from the Fire De- partment. We responded to 716 calls during 1964, and of this number, 56 were building fires, 237 were for brush fires, and there were 58 calls for the resuscitators.
Building fire losses were low this year, and proves that Chelmsford people take pride in their homes, and try to keep them safe from fire.
Our thirteen year old pick-up truck was replaced with a new one and is much better suited to our needs. It is fitted up to be used as a fire alarm service truck, and also can be used to great advantage on brush and grass fires.
The fire-fighters on their regular tour of duty did a considerable amount of repair and all of the maintenance work on all five stations as well as on the fire apparatus.
During this year we in the Fire Department and the townspeople suffered a great loss in the passing of our Deputy Chief. Raymond J. McGlinchey. The fact that his life was dedicated to the fire service will always be a tribute to his memory.
This year went into the record books as one of the driest in history, and the woodlands were extremely dangerous. Fires burned for days underground, and we had to keep a continual watch on all burned areas to be sure they did not get out of control from these underground fires.
Nursing Homes, schools and public buildings are continually in- spected, and recommendations for safety are made to officials in charge.
Because of the necessity for lines of higher voltage, the electric utility company is continually putting in taller poles and this keeps us busy changing our fire alarm wires over to the new poles. We placed 5 new fire alarm boxes in service this year, and all boxes were painted and tested to be sure they were in working order.
101
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
For 1965 the department recommends that land be purchased for a new station, and a committee be appointed to draw up plans to be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting in 1966.
In order to keep our equipment up to standard we should trade in the station wagon in 1965 while the turn in value is at its peak, and in 1966 we should replace two old 500 G.P.M. Pumpers, which are obsolete, with one 1000 G.P.M. new Pumping Engine.
WIRE INSPECTOR
Harold Tucke, Jr.
The following is a report of the Wire Inspection Department for the year 1964.
There were 619 applications for inspection issued: 15 of these were for the electrical installations in commercial and industrial buildings, 325 were for the wiring of new homes or the rewiring of old homes, 4 were for apartment buildings and 1 for the new Junior High School. The remaining 274 were issued for minor installations such as, oil burners, hot water tanks, range, washer and dryer outlets, service changes, etc.
In Memoriam
DEPUTY CHIEF RAYMOND J. McGLINCHEY
Raymond J. McGlinchey, Deputy Chief of the Fire Department, died on November 8, 1964, in the performance of his duty.
Deputy Chief McGlinchey served his country in the United States Marines in World War II, and when he was discharged from the Service in 1945 he was appointed as a regular firefighter. He rose in rank until in 1963 he was appointed Deputy Fire Chief.
His untimely passing put an end to a career dedicated to the fire service, a career which won him the respect of his fellow- workers and of the townspeople.
103
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Warren Wright, Chairman
Charles A. House
Claude A. Harvey
The following table is presented as a comparison of the financial and physical growth of the Town in the last six years:
Per
1959
1964
Number of Motor Vehicles 7,744
11,723
Increase 3,979
Cent 51%
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
$250,134.43
$512,305.78
$262,171.44
104%
Number of Dwellings
3,883
6,217
2,334
59%
Real Estate Valuation
$15,570,675
$27,769,670
$12,198,995
78%
Personal Property Valuation $ 1,855,875
$ 3,135,210
$ 1,279,335 68%
An analysis of the above figures gives some indication of the tre- mendous increase in the activities and work load of your Assessors' De- partment.
RECAPITULATION 1964
Town Appropriations:
(Voted by Town Meetings)
$4,268,280.25
State Assessments
11,678.02
County Tax and Hospital Assessments
44,885.08
Overlay
127,824.81
Gross Amount to be Raised
$4,452,668.16
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Town (All Revenue Derived from
Motor Vehicle Excise and all
Departmental Receipts) $ 421,633.41
Income Tax (Collected by State and Returned to Town
279,706.34
Corporation Tax (Collected by State)
89,021.96
Meal Tax (Collected by State)
7,535.56
$ 797,897.27
Available Funds (From Excess and Deficiency Account: Unexpended balances from Previous Years) $ 780,612.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds $1,578,509.27 $2,874,158.89
Total to be Raised by Taxation
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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
$2,874,158.89 to be Raised on Personal and Real Estate Taxes (Levied and Collected by the Town.)
The Board wishes at this time to thank all town officials and depart- ments for the cooperation extended to them during the past year and wishes to especially extend their appreciation to the members of our staff who have performed so conscientiously and efficiently.
BOARD OF APPEALS
Stanley J. Polak, Chairman
Edward W. Murphy Paul W. O'Neil
Richard L. Monahan Arthur Pratt
Alternate Members
James O. Robinson Anthony DiCiero
During the past year the Board of Appeals conducted hearings on petitions for 46 Variances and Special Permits.
Disposition of the 46 petitions was as follows:
Variances and Special Permits Granted 33
Variances and Special Permits Denied 8
Variances and Special Permits Withdrawn 5
46
The Board wishes to take this opportunity to thank all town offi- cials and townspeople for their co-operation during the year. For the Board of Appeals, CHARLES A. HOUSE, Clerk.
DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Town of Chelmsford
Gentlemen:
The following is a report of my services as Dog Officer for the year of 1964.
Stray Dogs sold to individuals 52
Stray Dogs sold to Medical School 61
Stray Dogs disposed of
12
Total stray dogs picked up 125
Lost dogs picked up and returned to owners
42
Complaints and misc. calls investigated 198
Respectfully submitted, FRANK WOJTAS Dog Officer
WELFARE DEPARTMENT Arthur Cooke, Director Charles Egerton, Chairman Howard Humphrey William Harvey
The cost of assistance in all categories increased this past year most- ly due to the influx of new cases. In all 190 new applications were re- ceived. Of these 12 were either denied or withdrawn. The breakdown is as follows: Old Age Assistance 20, Medical Assistance to the Aged 77, Aid to Dependent Children 29, Disability Assistance 12 and General Relief 52. The General Relief was mostly for food and fuel orders and mostly of a temporary nature.
Total Spent
Cost To Chelmsford
Ret. to Town U.S. Grants
State
Other
Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance to the Aged
$263,519.27
$ 90,000.00
$109,507.19
$ 63,098.90
$ 2,744.62
General Relief
9,238.90
9,238.90
545.49
Aid to Dependent Children
83,316.66
35,000.00
34,035.00
19,245.79
10,680.30
Disability Assistance
32,113.74
10,500.00
10,129.50
10,787.81
804.35
Administration Expenses
25,794.02
11,921.22
15,357.92
6,718.30
Recoveries on Liens
$ 36,044.68
Totals
$413,982.59
$156,660.12 $169,029.61 $ 99,850.80 $14,774.76 Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR COOKE, Director
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
105
106
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Board of Selectmen
Chelmsford, Mass.
The land at the intersection of Billerica and Turnpike Rds. was given to the Town of Chelmsford early in 1964. The maintaining of this land was then assumed by the Park Department, and with the assistance of the Highway Department and the Chelmsford Kiwanis, proceeded to fill in and level off the area. Many loads of loam were required and a new lawn was started. Favorable comments have been expressed since the completion of this project.
Under the expert care and supervision of Harold E. Eriksen, the many other parks in town were also cleaned up in the spring and colorful plants set out. All the flag poles were painted again and the ropes re- placed in some.
A new power mower was purchased during the year along with other necessary smaller tools. New flags were also acquired for the memorial in the Center Park.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH E. HOUSE, ARTHUR L. BENNETT, DAVID P. RAMSAY
107
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Year
No. of Highway Employees
1945
10
1950
16
1955
21
1960
22
1964
27
The above figures do not include waste collection employees. The following is a breakdown for waste collections.
Year
No. of Waste Col. Employees
Labor Expanded
1954
3
$ 8,104.30
1957
5
19,955.78
1960
10
32,556.77
1964
13
55,621.20
Fourteen new streets or 2.77 miles of road were accepted in 1964.
Considerable time was spent on drainage projects this year and in- clude the following:
Main Street: 349 feet 12" plain concrete pipe, 40 feet 12" R.C. pipe, 5 catch basins installed.
Barry Drive: 200 feet 12" plain concrete pipe, 40 feet 12" R.C. pipe. Davis Road: 624 feet 12" pipe, 1 manhole and 4 catch basins installed. Wilson Street: 184 feet 12" R.C. pipe.
Pine Hill Road: 425 feet 12" pipe, 2 catch basins installed, 20 feet 10" metal culvert pipe.
Abbott Lane: 180 feet 10" pipe replaced with 180 feet of 12" pipe.
Wildwood Street: 48 feet 10" plain concrete pipe, 92 feet 12" plain concrete pipe.
Mill Road: 470 feet 12" R.C. pipe, 5 catch basins installed.
Hunt Road: 170 feet 12" R.C. pipe, 1 catch basin installed.
108
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
The Chapter 90 Construction project consisted of the continuation of the reconstruction of Old Westford Road. Two hundred feet of 18" R.C. pipe, 1300 feet of 15" R.C. pipe, 1125 feet 12" R.C. pipe and 12 catch basins and 12 manholes were installed. A new metal culvert pipe was installed across Old Westford Road. The road was excavated, 12" of gravel was placed with a surface treatment on approximately 2300 feet. In the latter part of the year, a two course bituminous concrete surface was constructed with 11/4" of top being placed over 13/4" base course. Bituminous concrete berms were installed on grades of 3% and over to control the water flow. Fine grading of the shoulders, seeding, and clean-up will be completed in the spring.
The Chapter 90 maintenance project included hot topping ap- proximately 2500' on Acton Road.
The town received $23,048.72 again this year from the State which is known as Chapter 822 funds. This money was spent to resurface sections of Acton Road, Groton Road and Billerica Road.
A traffic problem was alleviated by the installation of a traffic light or flashing beacon at the intersection of Golden Cove Road and Billerica Road.
The bridge on Mill Road was widened from an 18' original width to a 30' width eliminating a dangerous bottleneck at the bridge.
A storage shed was built at the town yard on Richardson Road to store salt which is used during the winter months.
New equipment purchased in 1964 include two sand spreaders, one waste collection truck, 1 pickup truck, and one portable drill and pave- ment breaker.
The usual oiling of streets, brush cutting, installing of street signs, sanding, snow plowing and snow removal, drainage, and general main- tenance was performed throughout the year.
I wish to thank the townspeople for their kind consideration and co- operation and the Police Department for notifying the department of dangerous conditions on the roads during the winter months.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK R. GREENWOOD Supt. of Streets
1
109
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Edmund Polubinski, Chairman
Mrs. Benjamin Blechman
Mrs. Margaret E. Mills
Martin K. Bovey
Franklin J. Campbell Myles J. Hogan Edwin H. Warren
The Conservation Commission met monthly for the past year with some of the members attending regional and State level meetings in order to keep abreast of the new developments and changes taking place. Meetings were also held with committees from Billerica, Carlisle, and Westford, exploring the possibilities of participating in a joint effort in acquiring land for conservation purposes.
At the last town meeting the people of Chelmsford voted to appro- priate thirty thousand, three hundred dollars ($30,300) for the purchase of the so-called "Snow Land". Due to technicalities it was deemed advisable to re-submit a re-worded article to the 1965 Town Meeting so it would meet with all the State requirements in order to be in a position to re- ceive State Aid under the Self-Help Program.
Two more tracts of land are in the process of negotiations at the present time for ultimate presentation to the voters of Chelmsford for their consideration.
Appreciation is expressed by the Conservation Commission for the co-operation received from town officials and many interested citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND POLUBINSKI, Chairman.
110
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
CEMETERY COMMISSION
The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
The Cemetery commissioners wish to report the following progress in the Cemetery Department for 1964.
In the Pine Ridge Cemetery which is the most active of the six town cemeteries much was accomplished in the way of filling in a large area, making a new section, adding a long section to the drainage system with two catch basins. The main entrance road was hot-topped and added much beauty to the cemetery. Another long section of wrought iron fenc- ing was installed. This being another gift to the town from Mr. George Barris. A substantial gift of shrubbery from Mrs. Winslow Merrill beautified a large triangular section in the cemetery. Other shrubbery was also set out.
In the Fairview Cemetery a large expansion was started. Roads were oiled and an extension was made to the watering system.
In the West Cemetery, another extension was started with much grading, drainage work and fencing planned for 1965.
In all other cemeteries, general maintenance was carried on. Dead elm trees removed, fences repaired and top-dressing of areas was ac- complished.
The new truck and equipment purchased last year proved very beneficial to the Cemetery Department.
During the year there were eighty-four interments as follows:
Pine Ridge Cemetery
55
Fairview Cemetery
7
Hart Pond Cemetery 9 Fore Father's Cemetery 3
West Cemetery 8 Riverside Cemetery 2
Total 84
A total of sixty-six lots were sold in 1964 as follows:
Pine Ridge Cemetery 49 West Cemetery 3
Fairview Cemetery 12 Hart Pond Cemetery 2
Total 66
During the year the total revenue from all sources in the depart- ment was Nineteen thousand Five hundred Seventy-seven dollars and One cent ($19,577.01)
Four thousand dollars ($4000.00) was transferred from the P.C. Interest fund to the town general fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Cemetery Commissioners ARNE R. OLSEN
FRANK H. HARDY, Chairman
ARTHUR J. COLMER
111
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectman
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is the Animal Inspector's report for the year 1964: Number Dog bites 70
" submitted for laboratory examination 3
" showing signs of rabies 0
Premises keeping cattle 17
Premises keeping livestock other than cattle
27
" Cattle and young stock
355
Swine
659
Horses 82
33
" Goats 10
" Cattle released from interstate shipment 11
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN A. GRUBER, D.V.M.
GAS INSPECTOR
To the Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Chelmsford
Gentlemen:
A total of 326 Gas Permits were issued:
New and Old Homes 301
Commercial Buildings 20
Gas Appliances 5
Amount collected and turned in to Town Treasurer
$1,632.00
Respectfully submitted,
NEAL C. STANLEY,
Gas Inspector.
" Sheep
112
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
ROBERT A. McKITTRICK, Chairman
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
In 1964 the Planning Board had approximately 118 plans submitted outlining approximately 445 building lots. Of these, 220 lots came under the Subdivision Rules and Regulations requiring public hearings and ap- proval by our Fire, Highway, and Health Departments. The balance were divisions, lot line changes, and boundary clarifications of land on existing accepted streets.
The growth pressure of the Greater Boston Area is felt in Chelms- ford and, as the surrounding towns upgrade their zoning, Chelmsford again becomes the most desirable of the Greater Lowell communities for building.
The Planning Board can best serve Chelmsford in these changing times by keeping our Zoning By-Laws and Subdivision Rules completely up to date and within the scope of its authority, assuring their enforce- ment. It must be understood, however, that the Planning Board, under State Statutes, only has authority up to the actual subdivision. There- after, compliance and performance is beyond its limit.
The much stricter Subdivision Rules and Regulations adopted by the Planning Board in January 1961 have been operational for some time now with the procedure standardized and followed by all applicants and sub- dividers. These give no advantage to either the small or large builder.
The Planning Board attempts to keep the Zoning By-Laws up to date consistent with the best interests of Chelmsford and conforming to State Law. In 1963, the town supported the Planning Board in its complete revision of the Zoning By-Laws which became effective on June 17 of that year.
In 1964, many residents appeared before the Planning Board to re- port and describe alleged zoning infractions. While sympathetic with these, the Planning Board again emphasizes its authority and power for compliance or enforcement ceases with the signing of the plan au- thorizing the subdivision. It only has the right to grant subdivisions and, providing these are submitted according to the rules and regulations and meet all the zoning requirements, approval cannot be withheld.
ROBERT A. McKITTRICK Chairman
113
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
TREE DEPARTMENT
Myles J. Hogan, Tree Warden
Two consecutive years of drought has had very serious effect on our shade trees. The extended dry spell and ban of water use forced us to abandon the planting of young trees, instead we applied liquid wax to trees previously planted which showed evidence of dehydration.
The bulk of tree removal was accomplished through contract and awarded to the lower bidder.
The coming year finds us faced with serious damage; due to the severe ice storm which struck this area the latter part of this year.
A careful watch was kept to see that all complied with the town tree planting ordinance. As tree warden I have requested that all building bonds be held until such time as trees are planted as the law prescribes and inspections are made.
Considerable time was spent this year with local utility companies, due to the growth of the town and increase in power needed. This work involves a survey of all the trees by the utility company, the abutters are notified and the hearing is held, before any work is replaced by the utility company at no cost to the town. This work is supervised and carried out by the tree warden personally.
Respectfully submitted,
MYLES J. HOGAN
MOTH DEPARTMENT
Spraying was carried out in the usual procedure. The chemical used was of a low toxicity and approved by State and Federal authorities. Caution was used to comply with the standards set forth, for the safety of wild life, fish, water sheds, etc. We endeavored to accomplish the best results with the least possible amount of chemical necessary.
Poison Ivy control was very effective this year due to dry weather. The usual work of eradicating this weed was applied to bus stops, play areas, and other areas frequented by children. The need of an increase in this service is emphasized by the growth of the town and the request received by the town's people.
DUTCH ELM
The program remains the same as it has over the years, detection, removal and burning of affected trees. This work was carried out in all sections of the town under contracts.
Many trees on the wire side of the street undergoing pole line con- struction are removed at no cost to the town.
Respectfully submitted,
MYLES J. HOGAN
114
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
BUILDING INSPECTOR William A. Anderson
Board of Selectmen Town of Chelmsford
Gentlemen:
As Building Inspector for the Town of Chelmsford I submit the fol- lowing report of this Department's Records.
Dwellings
282 @ $15.00=$4,230.00
$ 3,833,000.00
Additions
48 @
7.00=
336.00
45,310.00
Remodeling
18 @
5.00=
90.00
27,000.00
Attached Garages
28 @
7.00=
196.00
46,050.00
Unattached Garages
16 @
5.00=
80.00
14,200.00
Industrial Bldgs.
3 @ 10.00 per sq. 1000 ft .=
105.00
53,000.00
Apartments
2 @ 1.00 per $1,000.00 Val .=
190.00
190,000.00
Stores
1 @ 1.00 per $1,000.00 Val .=
25.00
25,000.00
Additions to Stores 6 @ 1.00 per $1,000.00 Val .=
30.00
30,000.00
Addition to School 1 @ 1.00 per $1,000.00 Val .=
75.00
75,000.00
Miscellaneous 40
806.70
275,000.00
TOTAL 445
$6,163.70
$ 4,613,560.00
Salary
$1,500.00
Inspection Fees
2,535.00
Expenses
144.60
Total
$4,179.60
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. ANDERSON
Building Inspector
115
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Byron D. Roseman, M.D., Chairman
Edward L. Tyler, Jr. Oliver A. Reeves
HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Director of Public Health Peter J. Saulis, R.S. Senior Clerk and Laboratory Assistant Mrs. Florence M. Dutton School Nurses Mrs. Helen M. Jewett, Senior School Nurse Mrs. Marie C. Warren, Junior School Nurse Mrs. Dorothy R. Clements, Junior School Nurse
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