USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1950 > Part 4
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The Fire Department is in need of adequate housing facilities for its equipment and apparatus.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Fire Engi- neers for their cooperation, and also to thank my officers and men for a job well done, during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY, Chief.
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REPORT OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Middleton:
The Municipal Building Survey Committee authorized by vote of the Town Meeting of March 14, 1950 and appointed by the Modera- tor held its first meeting April 17, 1950, and organized the committee as follows:
Fire Department Mr. Elmer Morrill, Chairman
Finance Committee
Mr. William Birch, Secretary
Police Department
Mr. James Wentworth
Highway Department
Mr. John Hocter
Selectmen Mr. Wilbur Rundlett, Jr.
Planning Board
Mr. Roger Clapp
Qualified Voter
Mr. Alfred Miller
Considerable discussion was held as to the requirements of each department, with many different arrangements as to location, at the present time, or in the future, also the types of buildings and their probable costs.
Freehand sketches were made of desired arrangements with ap- proximate specifications and at a regular meeting held June 26, 1950, the services of Mr. Gordon Robb a registered architect were procur- ed to further consult with, and advise, the committee. At this same meeting due to a change in the office of chief of the Fire Department, Mr. Morrill was replaced by Mr. Harold Purdy, the committee unan- imously elected Mr. Purdy, to serve as chairman, who accepted.
Several meetings were held as new ideas were presented and the merits of each were discussed, the committee then decided which of the different arrangements of buildings, locations, etc., combinations that would most adequately house the municipal services, for the present and allowing for future growth of the town. (At the present rate of growth the town will have approximately 5,000 population in the year 2000.)
Mr. Robb was then instructed to prepare study drawings of a combination fire house and police station building to be located on South Main Street, also a highway and tree department building to be located on land now owned by the town in the rear of the old Center School House property.
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REPORT OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY
This work was completed by Mr. Robb and at a regular meeting Sept. 11, 1950 turned over to the town. (Study drawings with cost estimates.) For this work Mr. Robb was paid the sum of $200.00, from the appropriation given to the Survey Committee for this pur- pose.
At a special Town Meeting called for the purpose on September 26, 1950 the committee gave its report to the citizens of the town: in brief a combination fire and police department building of red brick and steel construction, located on South Main Street, on prop- erty now owned by Mr. Donald Alyard. Approximate cost of build- ing $100,000.00. The taking of land etc., would be extra. Also a Highway and Forestry Department building of cinder block con- struction, with stucco finish on the front only, located in the rear of the old Center School building property, approximate cost of $38,500.00.
After some discussion with the citizens present at this special Town Meeting, the Survey Committee was continued in service, and instructed to make a further study into the problem of adequately housing the municipal services, but with an eye toward a cheaper overall cost.
The committee found that to get a cheaper cost, the specifica- tions as to new type of buildings would have to be altered, the only other alternative the committee has is remodeling existing buildings, or buying other property and then remodeling that, Labor and ma- terial costs have definitely risen since the committee report in Sep- tember 1950.
In January 1951 a local contractor was asked to make a proposal as to the cost of a new Highway Department building. As of the date of this report, he could not quote us a figure, due to the ina- bility to procure steel for the 50 or 60 foot roof span, the curtail- ment regulations on the use of steel being the reason.
Another source of information gave us a figure of $35,000.00 for a Highway Department building, using cinder block construction with a curved wood roof with fireproof shingles.
Still another source of information gave us a figure of $45,000.00 for a combination Fire and Police Department building, using cinder block and stucco on all outside walls with a wood construction roof and fireproof shingles.
In view of the information gathered, it was the opinion of the committee to have inserted into the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, an Article calling for an appropriation of ($750.00) to enable the
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REPORT OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY
committee to have working or budget drawings and specifications prepared with which to invite proposals for construction of munici- pal town service buildings, after receiving these proposals with their estimated costs, the committee will then be in a better position to advise the citizens of the town as to the best location, the type and cost of the proposed buildings.
The committee will then petition the Selectmen to call a special Town Meeting for the last week in June, 1951. An article will be in- serted into the warrant calling for a definite amount of money to cover the cost of the entire project.
Prior to the Special Town Meeting, an open hearing will be held to acquaint the voters with all of the phases of the project. Work ing drawings and specifications will be available for discussion.
The committee wishes to point out that the Town Planning Board in their First Annual Report of 1948 felt that the housing facilities of all four municipal departments were inadequate, but could be made to serve at least for one more year, without too much expense, that time has now come and gone. The survey committee agrees with the Planning Board that new buildings should be built, now, before ma- terial and labor cost rise still higher. Another reason for recom- mending building now, is the additional use that may be made of town owned equipment and buildings when called upon for civilian defence work.
On the plus side of the ledger, the sum of approximately $600.00 per year now paid for garaging service of the Highway Department to a private concern, at present hired on a month to month basis, would be used for maintenance of the new building. Also the old fire house property could be sold and the money received, approxi- mately ($4,000.00) would be used to defray the cost of the new fire house.
In December, Mr. Alfred Miller resigned from the committee be- cause of business reasons, to date a Qualified Voter has not been appointed to fill this vacancy.
This report was adopted at a regular meeting of the committee February 12, 1951.
W. G. BIRCH, Secretary.
.
89
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton.
Following is my annual report for the year 1950-1951.
All trees on accepted and private streets were sprayed for Gypsy and Brown-tail Moth and canker worms about the last of May, 1950.
Elm trees were sprayed in July for Elm Leaf Beetle.
Another spray was applied in August to Wild Cherry, Ash and Hickory trees for Fall Web Worm.
The spray for Poison Ivy with 2-4-D Weed Killer was applied again this year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE OSGOOD,
Moth Superintendent.
90
POLICE REPORT
POLICE REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report of the Middleton Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1950. .
DEPARTMENT ROSTER
Chief of Police-James W. Wentworth
Regular Specials - Sergeant Lloyd H. Getchell, Arthur G. Doane, Alexander Fraser, Leo J. Kopacki, Joseph Peters, William Pennock.
OFFENCE FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE:
Assault
1
Assault and battery
3
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
1
Abandon animals 1
Allowing an improper person to operate a motor vehicle
1
Drunkenness
58
Disturbing the peace
6
Larceny of a motor vehicle
2
Leaving scene of an accident after causing property damage
3
Non-support
3
Operating so as to endanger
9
Operating after revocation of license
1
Operating while under the influence of liquor
16
Operating unregistered motor vehicles
1
Operating uninsured motor vehicles
1
Operating without a license
5
Operating without authority
3
Neglect of minor children
2
Run aways
2
Speeding
3
Vagrancy
1
Violation of conditions of probation
2
Total 125
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POLICE REPORT
DISPOSITIONS:
Discharged-Not guilty
1
Committed to Danvers State Hospital
1
Guilty-Fined
48
Guilty-Filed
7
Released
40
Placed on probation
16
Sentenced to House of Correction, Salem
10
Sentenced to Bridgewater
1
Sentenced to Concord Reformatory-suspended
1
Total 125
MISCELLANEOUS:
Ambulance and cruiser cases
31
Automobile accidents investigated 37
Dogs killed by automobiles 17
Complaints received and investigated
892
Escaped patients returned to Danvers State Hospital
6
Firearms, permits issued
62
Hours in Court
200
Missing and lost persons returned
14
Messages delivered
83
Motor vehicle transfers 135
Stolen property recovered
$3,092 60
Summons and warrants served
30
Turned over to the Town Treasurer for firearm permits $31 00
Fire calls that the police went to
29
Licenses suspended and revoked through the
Registry of Motor Vehicles for speeding, etc. 88
Booked and warned for speeding
103
In closing I wish to extend my appreciation to the officers which have faithfully performed their duties. And also to the public of the Town of Middleton and to the Board of Selectmen, for the co- operation they have given me.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES W. WENTWORTH
Chief of Police.
98
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT, PLANNING BOARD
January 17, 1951
To the Selectmen, Town of Middleton:
Third Annual Report of the Planning Board, for the year of 1950.
The Town Planning Board organized with Albert Murray as chairman and Alton W. Hubbard as secretary.
In ragard to advisability of accepting Highland Road, referred to the Planning Board by a vote of the Town at the last Annual Town Meeting, the Board, on May 17. 1950, visited the street known as "Highland Road", and residents thereon, and at a later date notified Mrs. Macauley as follows:
The layout of the road at present provides only thirty-three feet width, and, except for a short distance in from Maple Street, the grade is such that it would present a constant problem in maintenance and upkeep. After studying the matter carefully, the Board is of the opin- ion that because of the layout and grading of Highland Road, so called, it cannot recommend to the Town that it be accepetd as a public high- way. However, the residents of this area are to be commended for the work they have done and the interest they have shown by work on the road and in improving their property.
At the meeting of August 16th the Board received a report from the water engineers engaged to make a survey of the present town water system, and, according to the article in the warrant, the Secretary was to advise the voters the recommendations of the Planning Board at the Special Town Meeting of September 26, 1950.
The Board reported on September 26th that because of the com- plexity of the problem; the effect on the Town's future development; the cost to the Town at the present time; and the controversial nature of the whole subject; the Planning Board desired to give the matter more continued study, and would present a comprehensive plan and recommendation at the Annual Town Meeting.
The Planning Board submits the following water report:
The town water situation in the Town of Middleton has been cause for alarm for some time. It is only sheer good luck that we have not been faced with an emergency situation in the breaking of some of the
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PLANNING BOARD REPORT
older main lines araound the center of the Town, which would have left whole sections which depend on the present system without water.
The entire present system is hopelessly inadequate both from the standpoint of considering any extensions, or for an adequate supply, or fire protection to its present customers. It is a system which started around 1908 by tapping into the Danvers main in the vicinity of the square, and extending hit-or-miss with no concern for potential de- mands or adequate-sized pipe. Much of it was done at the expense of the Town, but some small pipe was laid at individual private expense. An estimate made in 1947 by Mr. Roger Esty, then Superintendent of the Danvers Water Department, indicated the Town of Middleton had spent approximately $22,000, and private individuals probably another $7,500 over the 40-year period.
During this period no income has been received by the Town of Middleton from the sale of water to consumers. However, it has, or at least people within the area served by the present system have, profited by a water system in lower insurance rates, and free hydrant service. While the Town has been fortunate in having such a water system over the period of years for the expenditure of a comparatively small amount of money and no annual oqerating expense, the time has now come when the Town must give serious attention to a system that will adequately meet the needs of the Town at present, give fire protection by adequate pressure at all hydrants, and provide for an anticipated growth of the Town over the next 40 or 50 years.
Under Authority and funds voted the Planning Board at the An- nual Meeting in 1950, a more extended survey of the present system and the needs of the future with proposals for meeting these anticipated requirements has been completed by the Board, retaining the services of Mr. Linwood C. Wiley, assisted by Mr. Benjamin A. Chatel, both qualified engineers.
After extensive study and consultations with these engineers and others, the Planning Board is of the opinion that the Town should, within the near future, start taking the necessary steps to create an adequate water system that will serve the present settled portions of the town on a self-supporting bases and allow for extensions as need and growth demands.
The Board feels that it would be to the best interest of the Town to purchase its water from the Town of Danvers through a master meter in or near Central Square, and that the initial system be confined
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PLANNING BOARD REPORT
to the central portions of the Town of approximately the scope of the present system, and to leave the take-off from the Danvers Main at Liberty and East Streets as it is for the present.
The initial project would be as follows:
Pipe
Streets
Size
Footage 4,224'
Mileage Services
Lots
Boston to Picarello's
10"
.8
35
41
Square to River St.
12"
8,448'
1.6
17
54
Haswell Park
2,112'
. 4
36
55
Pleasant St.
1,584'
.3
14
6
No. Main to Three Roads
12''
2,640'
.5
33
5
Essex to Lovelace
10"
528'
.1
4
1
Forest to Silvernail
10"
2,112'
. 4
5
8
Lakeview Avenue
Present Pipe Adequate
13
4
Lake St. to Cressey
2,112'
. 4
17
7
Mt. Vernon
2,112'
.4
9
5
King St.
2,112'
. 4
6
8
Washington
1,056'
.2
10
0
Central St.
2,640'
.5
29
0
Maple St. to Church
18"
2,640'
.5
31
5
Total 8"
13,728'
2.6
121
81
Total 10"
6,864'
1.3
44
50
Total 12"
11,088'
2.1
50
59
Lake View Avenue
13
4
Total 18"
2,640'
.5
31
5
Totals
34,320'
6.5
259
199
The cost of the first project is, as near as the Board can determine in this period of rapidly changing cost, approximately $220,000. The method of handling this expenditure would be the creation of a "Mid- dleton Water District" which would be incorporated as a separate political entity. The district would comprise of all the area served by the new system and would be administered by a Board of Water Com- missioners elected at the Annual Town Meeting for a period of years.
A Bond Issue would provide for capital to meet the original cost. This Bond issue would be retired from moneys obtained :
(1) From the sale of water to consumers.
(2) Hydrant Rental to the Town.
(3) Water District Tax.
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PLANNING BOARD REPORT
The cost of water to consumers will in some measure depend
(1) On the cost of water to us as purchased from Danvers.
(2) On the cost of operating the system, i.e., personnel, equip- ment, etc.
The Board feels that it should be not less than $25 for 40,000 gallons of water per service per year (additional gallons at a reduced rate), and that the hydrant rental to the town should be at the rate of $25 per year per hydrant. The "Water Tax" would be levied against all property (whether improved or not) within the water district, at the prevailing valuation as determined by the Town Assessors, at a rate to be determined annually by the Water Commissioners, sufficient to meet the deficit from the two previous sources of income in meeting the annual operating expenses and bond retirement.
An Annual Operating Budget :
Income: 228 Residential consumers @ $25. $ 5,600.00
Hydrant Rental to Town-50 @ $25. 1,250.00
Water Tax against real prop- erty, estimated by Assessors as $1,335,000, within water district
@ $ 8. per thousand 10,680.00
Total
$17,530.00
Expenses: Cost of Water-12 Million Gal. year @ $125. per million $1,500.00
Bond Interest for year
4,400.00
Bond Retirement (1/30 each year)
7,330.00
Supplies (printing, postage, etc.) 100.00
Clerk of Board
1,000.00
Depreciation Reserve
2,500.00
Miscellaneous
700.00
Total
$17,530.00
At the present time, there are 259 residences within the area desig- nated as the proposed water district with about 250 vacant lots suit- able for building. In considering this project, the voters should face seriously the fact that, while it is an expensive proporition, the future
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PLANNING BOARD REPORT
growth of the Town will depend in a large measure what it offers to prospective residents. An adequate water system, with low insurance rates, is an inducement. Middleton is well situated to proft by the very definite trend in residential building north of Boston in the next decade.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON W. HUBBARD, Secretary.
103
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL ADDITION
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL ADDITION
To the Selectmen:
At the Annual Town Meeting held in March, 1950 the Town ap- propriated $175,000.00 to build an addition to the Howe-Manning School.
The Building Committee selected Mr. Gordon Robb as Architect for the project. Mr. Robb immediately started to prepare detailed plans and specifications. By June 15, 1950 these plans and speci- fications had been approved. Advertisements were placed in several newspapers and construction trade papers. Seven general contractors and over fifty sub-bidders submitted bids. These bids were opened on July 8, 1950. The lowest bid of $175,573.00 for general contractor was submitted by the Steed-Barber Corporation.
On July 18, 1950 a Special Town Meeting was held where the Town increased the original appropriation to $189,500.00. A contract was signed with the Steed-Barber Corporation on August 1, 1950. Changes to the present building were completed in time for school to open in September.
The Contractor had planned to complete the walls and roof on the addition by November. However, the procurement of structural steel has been very difficult. The building was planned to be completed by April, 1951, but the delays in steel will delay completion until sum- mertime. As of January 1, 1951, approximately 45% of the total work had been completed.
At the completion of the building a more complete report will be submitted.
Respectfully submitted, L. A. BATCHELDER,
Secretary.
104
MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY COMMITTEE
MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY COMMITTEE
THIS IS THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO MAKE A SURVEY OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS, ETC.
The Planning Board of Middleton in their 2nd Annual Report, which was approved at the annual Town meeting in March, 1950, recommended, that a Special Con mittee be appointed by the Town Moderator consisting of the Chief of the Fire Dept., a member of the Board of Selectmen, a member of the Planning Board, a member of the Finance Committee and one other qualified voter, to investigate, and make specific recommendations, as to the best location, type of build- ing, and cost, to adequately house the Fire, Police and Highway Departments and report back to a Special Town Meeting in Septem- ber, 1950.
"This is indeed, a large assignment for any committee to willingly try to find out how much can the Town get, and how little will it cost?"
The first of several meetings of this committee was held in April where the requirements of each dept., were recorded, many different arrangements were discussed. The advisability of putting all three de- partments in one building versus each department in a separate build- ing was discussed in great detail. Different locations and the avail- ability of entrances and exits were taken into consideration. The cost and location of private land versus the town owned land for possible building sites were of additional importance. Finally rough sketches of proposed building requirements for each department were made, and the services of Mr. Gordon Robb a recognized architect, who is now supervising the building of our present school addition, were ob- tained, on June 26, 1950. At this meeting the architect was asked to make a set of study drawings or plans of a fire house building with a Police Department wing attached.
Mr. Robb was also asked to make study drawings or plans of a highway department building large enough to house all the town owned Highway and Tree Department equipment, which is only common sense to keep indoors, allowing additional space for new equipment which the town might buy in the future.
.
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MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY COMMITTEE
The sum of $200.00 which was the appropriation for the expense of this committee, was paid to Mr. Robb for this work.
On September 11th, 1950, at a meeting of this committee Mr. Robb brought the completed study drawings of all the work requested, and discussed them with us. Any further work on the part of the archi- tect would be done only if the voters deide to build.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
For the information of the voters in regards to the present housing of our Fire Department, there is, a one and one half story wooden building on Lake Street, built in (0000) with a hose drying tower added in (1932). This building accommodating 2 pieces of apparatus on the street level, with office space and general assembly room on the second floor, a heating plant in the basement in a cement block en- closure, also in the basement is two more pieces of apparatus which when answering an alarm must back out into the yard, climb a 20 degree grade to get to the street level, then make a 90 degree turn to go to the square before making real headway in going to a fire. An emergency life saving boat on a trailer is parked outside the building at the street level. This building is now in need of some repairs approxi- mately ($0,000.00) due largely to the weaving of the tall hose drying tower and general age.
Ths committee feels that to provide adequate housing facilities for our Fire Department, a building could be built on a parcel of land on South Main Street bounded by Old South Main and Mt. Vernon Street now owned by Mr. Alyward. The main part of this building would be 60 ft. deep by 45 ft. wide, this would accommodate all 5 pieces of apparatus plus the hose drying equipment and the rescue boat. Three overhead doors in front and 2 doors in the rear. To this main building would be attached, a wing in which the fire alarm equip- ment, toilet facilities, office space and a general assembly room where fire department instructions and general meetings would be held. Under part of this wing would be the heating plant for the entire building.
It is planned to build this building of red brick with a hip roof on the apparatus room and a flat roof on the wing section, the entire build- ing would be of substantial quality but without any "fancy fittings." The total cubical content of the apparatus room and wing section would approximate 76,000 cu. ft. We are informed by Mr. Robb that
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MUNICIPAL BUILDING SURVEY COMMITTEE
this type of construction on the market today would cost in the vicinity of $1.15 to $1.20 per cu. ft., so this means that our fire department building would cost approximately $85,000.00.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
At the present time the Town of Middleton does not provide any quarters for the Police Department, the Chief of police must have the Police Department Office in his own home, he also must provide garaging of the police cruiser while it is in his care. The Town does however, pay for office expense, telephone, uniforms and small inci- dentals.
To house the Police Department, it is the opinion of this committee that Police quarters could be built on to the side of the proposed Fire House in the form of a wing, directly opposite the wing section of the proposed Fire House to make up a balanced architectural design, office space guard room, toilet facilities, and three cells, as well as garage space for the police cruiser would be provided. This wing sec- tion would have approximately 12,500 cu. ft. of space, it would be built of red brick to match the proposed Fire House, this means that the Police quarters would cost approximately $15,000.00.
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