USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1951 > Part 4
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Turned over to the Town Treasurer for firearm permits $31.50 Fire calls that the Police went to 26
Licenses suspended and revoked through the
Registry of Motor Vehicles for speeding, etc.
77
Booked and warned for speeding 94
85
POLICE REPORT
As in past years we have investigated many property damage cases not listed above which have been settled satisfactorily to all concerned without making arrests or going to court.
In closing I wish to extend my appreciation to the officers which have faithfully performed their duties. Also to the public of the Town of Middleton and to the Board of Selectmen. For their cooperation they have given me.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH, Chief of Police.
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and
Citizens of the Town of Middleton, Massachusetts Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1951.
Complaints received and investigated
160
Dogs restrained
11
Dogs killed by automobiles
21
Dogs shot by the Police Department
16
Dogs put in pound
15
Dog licenses collected and turned over to the Town Clerk $326.00
Lost dogs returned to rightful owners
8
Poultry killed by dogs 118
Reports of dog bites
11
Stray dogs disposed of
15
To all dog owners 1952 dog licenses are due and payable to the Town Clerk April 1, 1952.
Under Chapter 140, Sect. 138. Being the owner keeper of a dog after April 1st which was not duly licensed:
Penalty $15.00
Being the owner keeper of a dog which became 3 months old after March 31st, and did not cause it to be licensed:
Penalty $15.00
I am deeply grateful for the splendid spirit of cooperation shown by the Board of Selectmen and all dog owners during the year 1951.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH,
Dog Officer.
86
BOARD OF APPEAL
BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT
The Board of Selectmen,
Mr. Wilbur C. Rundlett, Jr., Chairman
Middleton, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following is a factual report of the activities of the Board of Appeals for the year ending December 31, 1951.
Meetings held 15
Public hearings
10
Formal decisions rendered
. 6
Decisions pending
3
.
In all cases proper public notice was given and parties at interest notified.
Copies of all formal decisions have been filed with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. SANBORN
WILLIAM T. MARTIN BEAUMONT B. HURD
VINCENT J. PERRY CHESTER K. MASSE
Board of Appeals.
87
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Citizens of the Town of Middleton,
Gentlemen:
We hereby submit our annual report as Commissioners of the Electric Light Department.
We are aware of the fact that a number of localities in Town are inconvenienced by low voltage, and are pleased to report that a number of localities have been corrected of this fault.
Our primaries have been extended on Riverview Drive and Pleasant Streets. Our primary voltage has been increased from 2300 volts to 4160 volts on So. Main Street from Middleton Square to the Keddy Machine Co. thereby benefiting the entire south section of Town. Transformer capacity has been increased to the service of more than 100 customers in other sections of Town.
To correct the low voltage condition up to standard to all parts of Town is a very expensive undertaking. Inasmuch as we are a self supporting Department, and operate solely on our earnings, our expansion is of necessity governed by our annual income. However, we intend to correct this voltage difficulty as rapidly as possible to the limits of our budget.
During the past year we have installed street lights on Lakeview Park and the Peabody St. project is nearing completion.
In an effort to reduce our operation expenses we have purchased a new 34 ton truck, and now use the large 21/2 ton truck only for setting poles or heavy construction work.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the Department Heads and their men for their fine cooperation during the past year. Also to our customers, who have been patient and understanding with our endeavor to correct the voltage situation.
The Board of Electric Light Commissioners meet with the Manager at the Electric Light Offices on So. Main St. every second and fourth Thursday at 7:30 P.M. and we will be pleased to meet any
88
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
customer who may wish to present himself. In this way we believe that a better understanding between Customer and this Department can be attained.
Respectfully submitted,
G. L. FISHER CHARLES G. BATES RICHARD B. FLOYD
Electric Light Commissioners.
WIRE INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Board of Selectmen
Middleton, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Permits issued
39
Work completed
19
Work uncompleted
20
Trouble investigations
30
Calls made for inspections
130
Mileage
234 miles
Expenses
Mileage
$12.87
Postage ·
.87
Printing of Permits
15.00
$38.74
I want to thank the Town Officials, Electric Light Department, and the general public for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK E. DOW,
Wire Inspector.
89
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Middleton:
Fire Department report for 1951.
During the past year the Fire Department answered 62 calls. They were as follows:
Buildings
17
Oil Burners
2
Electrical
1
Automobiles
4
Chimney
1
Tar Kettles
2
Grass, Woods, Rubbish and Dump
31
Needless
1
False
1
Calls to Danvers
2
Total 62
On a mutual aid plan the department will answer calls in Danvers to Boxes 232 Danvers State Hospital, 236 Essex Aggie, 2323 Colony, 2342 Essex Sanatorium, and 292 Andover and Shawmut Ave. The first four boxes mentioned include the three hospitals and school where there are great life hazards. The last box mentioned is located near the top of the hill, beyond the river bridge on Route 114. This section of Danvers has been somewhat cut off by the new construction on the turnpike.
The department installed three more boxes to its expanding alarm system. These boxes are No. 16 Maple and Webb St., No. 17 King and Mt. Vernon St. and No. 112 Maple and Liberty St.
I am very pleased to announce that twenty members received full certificates from the Dept. of Education, for attending a twenty hour course in practical instruction. Four others received partial certificates.
I wish to thank the Board of Fire Engineers, my officers and men for their most cordial cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY,
Chief.
90
REPORT OF FIRE DEPT. HOUSING
Report of Committee Assigned To Survey Housing Needs of Fire Dept.
Middleton, Mass., Jan. 30, 1952
To the Citizens of the Town of Middleton:
At the special town meeting of June 26, 1951, by vote of the townspeople, the Moderator was instructed to appoint a committee of five citizens assigned to the task of "preparing and filing a report at a special meeting to be held in September".
It will be recalled that the problem of adequate housing facilities for the Fire Department had been the subject of previous and con- tinuing studies since 1948, when the Planning Board reported that "the present facilities, while far from adequate, could be made to serve at least through the coming year" (1949).
In March, 1950, a committee was appointed and assigned to make a survey and report. No final action towards a solution of the problem resulted from their report.
But the continued urgency of the problem was recognized by the people at the special town meeting of June 1951, when appointment of the present committee was authorized and directed.
Work was started on July 20, 1951, when the committee organized with Fire Chief Harold Purdy, Chairman, and William Birch, Secretary. One of the first actions of your committee was to make a complete inspection of the existing firehouse at Lake St. As a result of this inspection, the committee unanimously concurred with the statements made at the June town meeting by Fire Chief Purdy and Building Inspector Jones. These statements were as follows:
Chief Purdy stated that the present fire station was no longer safe and called attention to the fact that the town's fire fighting and safety equipment was valued at approximately $45,000; that the present fire station was inadequate for housing this apparatus; that the lifeboat was kept on private property, away from the firehouse; that one piece of apparatus was housed on King St., in a barn.
Inspector Jones confirmed what Chief Purdy had stated as to the unsafe condition of the firehouse, where equipment weighing fifteen (15) tons was garaged on the street floor alone.
91
REPORT OF FIRE DEPT. HOUSING
Your committee voted unanimously against recommending that any further town funds be expended on the existing firehouse.
On Dec. 5, 1951, a communication was addressed to the Board of Selectmen, calling attention to the dangerous condition of the hose drying tower and recommended that it be removed without further delay.
For reasons that should be obvious without detailed explanation, the committee ruled out of consideration any proposed locations that might be found on the following thoroughfares:
North Main St. - Boston St. - Central St. - Lake St. - Pleas- ant St. - Maple St. east of Town Hall - South Main St. south of Arthur Fuller property.
Eleven (11) possible sites within the central area under con- sideration were investigated.
Three were eliminated from further consideration because they were not considered desirable for the purpose.
Four more were found to be unavailable because the owners would not sell.
One, while available, proved too costly and also presented dis- advantages which could not be overcome.
Thus the committee's considerations were narrowed down to the remaining three proposals which are as follows:
PROPOSAL NO. 1
Remodel and develop the present Town Hall for conversion into a complete firehouse.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
Purchase of the available Donald Aylward property (land only) which lies between Old South Main St. and South Main St. and con- struction of a complete new firehouse.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
Investigate fully the availability of a firehouse site (with possible municipal parking facilities in rear) within the centrally located area bounded by Pleasant St., South Main St., and Lake St., and fronting on Middleton Square.
DETAIL ON PROPOSALS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
No. 1 - Town Hall
Plans and specifications (at no cost to the town) have been pro- cured from an architect of reliable reputation.
92
REPORT OF FIRE DEPT. HOUSING
Provision is made for the housing of all fire fighting and safety equipment that the town currently owns, including alarm system. Plans include grading to provide adequate apron in front and limited parking in rear.
Development of this proposal would necessitate:
(a) Removal of large elm tree west of town hall
(b) Removal of jail house in rear of town hall
(c) Relocation of town vault elsewhere
(d) Relocation of sewerage system
(e) Installation of complete new heating system
Development of this prospal would also provide assembly hall for all department activities.
Architects estimated cost $26,000.
No. 2 - Aylward Property
Plans and specifications (at no cost to the town) have been pro- cured from an architect of reliable reputation.
Provision is made for the housing of all fire fighting and safety equipment that the town currently owns, including alarm system; graded grounds and front apron; some parking; assembly hall included.
This building would be of cinder block construction, stucco sur- faced, with pitched wooden roof and non-combustible shingles. (no steel).
Architects estimated cost $38,000.
(In both proposals 1 and 2, architects plans present the maximum expansion attainable at these two locations.)
No. 3 - Central Square
The town currently has title to at least two parcels of land within this area, namely the Flint Public Library lot and the adjoining lot containing the present firehouse and forestry department buildings. While these two parcels make up the bulk of the entire area involved, extensive vacant land adjoins it.
On Sept. 5, 1951, your committee met with the Library Trustees and requested detailed information as to the extent of the Library holdings, with a view toward determining whether or not any land with frontage on the Square might be available for consideration as a possible site. A further request was made at that time that the terms of the orginal acquisition of the Library lot be searched for information as to custodianship of any land involved.
93
REPORT OF FIRE DEPT. HOUSING
Your committee, in surveying the overall possibilities at this central location, became so strongly impressed with the natural ad- vantages presented at this central site, especially by comparison with the limited possibilities at the other two locations, that it was unanimously voted to procure all available information regarding this site before submitting any final report and recommendation, even though such a course might entail further delay. To this end a joint meeting was held on Dec. 17, 1951.
In attendance were members members of the Board of Selectmen, Library Trustees, Planning Board, Finance Committee and the Fire- house committee.
As a result of this meeting, the Selectmen requested the Town Counsel to make a search of the title and custodianship of the Library lot. Under date Jan. 3, a detailed report was received from town conusel James J. Gaffney. This report proved to be extremely inter- esting and informative, but is of such length as to prohibit full repetition in this report.
Excerpts from the Gaffney report are as follows:
"Following your request for an opinion as to the extent of the holding of the Flint Public Library, and as to who has control of the same, it is my opinion that no part of the real estate on which the Flint Public Library is situated may be used for any other municipal use or purpose unless and until (1) the Trustees of the Flint Public Library shall vote that such real estate or any part thereof is no longer needed for library purposes, and shall give notice of such vote to the Board of Selectmen, and, (2) the town, at a regular or special meeting held after the receipts of such notice, shall, by two- thirds vote, transfer the control of said real estate to another munici- pal board or department for another municipal use."
"The description contained in said (library lot) deed is as follows:
Land in Middleton, with the buildings thereon, on the Westerly side of South Main St., at its junction with Lake St. and bounded thus: Easterly by said South Main St., 112 feet; Southerly by land of Catherine E. Mckinney, 52 feet; Easterly by land of said Mckinney, about 40 feet; Southerly by Pleasant St. and land of Merriam, 155 feet to the brook; Southwesterly by the brook, 82 feet; Westerly by the wall at land now or late of 194 feet; Northerly by said Lake Street, 191 feet."
"Thus the only way by which any part of the present library site may be used for another municipal purpose is by following the pro-
94
REPORT OF FIRE DEPT. HOUSING
cedure outlined in Ch. 40, Sec. 15A - i.e., by an affirmative determina- tion on the part of the (Library) Trustees that the land in question is not needed for library purposes, a notice to this effect to the Selectmen, and a two-thirds vote at a town meeting in pursuance of an article in the warrant.
"It should be noted, however, that the library site is confined to the metes and bounds set forth in the conveyance of May 2, 1890, (above) and that an up-to-date survey of the library site might be desirable to determine whether or not in fact any encroachment on library property has taken or will take place."
Through its lengthy deliberations, the dominant aim of your survey committee has been to find a central location for a new fire- house, and to do so if possible, without in any way disturbing existing public or private establshmentsi
With this in mind, and following the suggestion of town counsel, the committee, on Jan. 7, 1952, requested that the Selectmen engage a surveyor to determine the exact layout of the library holdings as described in the May 2, 1890 deed.
From the description of the library lot bounds as set forth in the deed, beginning at the point of junction between Lake and So. Main Sts., the library lot frontage line would appear to leave a strip of about one-hundred (100) feet of the existing vacant frontage un- accounted for in the metes and bounds of the library lot deed.
As of this date the projected survey has not been completed. Therefore, your committee now feels it is not fully prepared to submit a final report at this time.
In the course of our deliberations we have encountered other town problems, equally pressing, and so closely related to the problem under study that we are of the opinion that the whole project might better be dealt with through the combined efforts of this committee and the regularly constituted Planning Board of the town. Only in this way can the firehouse project be treated as an integral part of the town's overall planning.
This committee is of the opinion that any final recommendation should come to the people from their regularly elected Planning Board. This report was adopted at a regular meeting of this com- mittee held on Jan. 28, 1952.
(signed)
HAROLD PURDY, Chairman WILBUR C. RUNDLETT, JR.
WILLIAM G. BIRCH, Secretary EARL F. JONES
CHESTER K. MASSE
95
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT
Report to the Town of Middleton for the year ending December 31, 1951:
GENERAL RELIEF:
Unsettled State
1 case
1 person
Outside Cities and Towns
4 cases
5 persons
Middleton
6 cases
23 persons
Child Guardianship
2 cases
2 persons
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
(No settlement laws in A.D.C.)
Middleton
5 cases
13 persons
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE:
(No settlement laws in D.A.)
No cases
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE:
Unsettled State
16 cases
Outside cases
8 cases
Middleton
43 cases
There has been considerable increase in O.A.A. costs due to a cost of living increase granted by the Legislature during the year. Expense for G.R. and A.D.C. declined during the same period.
A new federal-aided category of assistance, Disability Assistance, now prevails in this State. It is safe to assume that certain residents of this community will meet the eligibility requirements. Thus it is necessary that sufficient funds be appropriated to meet their needs. Reimbursement from the state and federal governments will amount to 75% of the total cost of Disability Assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER FRASER, Chairman CHARLES PASQUALE LEYLAND A. PHILLIPS, Clerk
96
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
January 11, 1952
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Middleton:
The Annual Report of the Planning Board for the year 1951.
The Board organized with Arthur S. Tuttle as Chairman. Alton Hubbard who has been Secretary for the past three years, felt that it would be impossible to continue in this capacity owing to other duties. The Board was unable to elect a successor, for that reason the chairman has been the acting Secretary.
The Board has held regular meetings through the year. There · have been several special meetings called by request.
The Board had one meeting with the Selectmen this year, that meeting was for the purpose of clarifying the enforcement of the Zoning By-Laws.
At the Annual Town meeting of March 1951, one Article referred to the Planning Board, it being Article 13, which reads as follows:
Article 13. To see what action the Town will take regarding the erection of an Honor Roll and to appropriate a sum of money and take whatever action necessary.
Regarding Article 13. The Board called committees from the two Veterans Organizations, also other interested citizens of the town. As a result of this meeting we found a number of complex problems of which two were outstanding, one being the drafting of the boys due to the present conflict, and two, the possibility of much larger numbers being called under various conditions. Under these circumstances the board recommended that a committee be appointed by the town for further study.
The Board has received a number of reports from the Appeal Board as required by law. Replys were made to these reports and recommendations made as considered in the interest of the town.
The needs of the Fire Department have been under consideration by the Planning Board. From information received and our observa- tion, showed the present Fire House to be in very poor condition as well as inadequate for our present equipment. While the Board was
97
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
in discussion preparatory to making any recommendations, the town appointed a committee for this purpose. The board will wait for the result of this committee.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR TUTTLE, Chairman ALBERT C. MURRAY ALTON W. HUBBARD EBEN L. JEWETT HAROLD I. NASH
Planning Board.
98
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL ADDITION
REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE FOR THE HOWE-MANNING ADDITION
Since the last report in the 1951 Town Report, the Building Com- mittee has accepted the Addition to. the Howe-Manning School. This Addition, in use since September, has added five large classrooms, one smaller classroom, a Principal's office, an enlarged lunchroom, and a combination auditorium-gymnasium with shower rooms to the school facilities. The building has been built under trying circumstances due to International conditions which have caused difficulties in procuring steel and other building materials. In spite of this, the building is well constructed and should serve the Town for many years to come.
At the Special Town Meeting in June, 1951, the Building Com- mittee was authorized to advertise for and purchase furnishings for this Addition. These are now 90% complete.
We thank the many Town Officers, School Officials, and others for their splendid cooperation in helping us to complete this project. February 9, 1952
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. HUBBARD, Chairman R. F. CLAPP
J. H. COFFIN
E. L. JEWETT
E. F. JONES
L. A. BATCHELDER, Secretary
99
BOARD OF HEALTH
TOWN OF MIDDLETON BOARD OF HEALTH
Rules Governing Operating of Piggeries
In Accordance with Section 31 and 31A of Chapter 111 of the General Laws.
1. No individual or individuals, partnership, company or corpora- tion shall keep a pig or swine within the limits of this municipality without first obtaining a permit from the Board of Health. All such permits shall expire on December 31 of each year unless sooner revoked. Any permit may be revoked at any time by the Board of Health for cause.
2. A license to transport garbage, offal or other offensive sub- stance along the public highways of this municipality must be obtained from the Board of Health in accordance with Chapter 111, Section 31A, and no such materials shall be so transported without such a license. All licenses shall expire on December 31st. Any license may be revoked at any time by the Board of Health for cause. Garbage and other offensive material shall be transported only in watertight vehicles or containers and shall be securely covered with wood, iron or canvass cover while the vehicle is in motion.
3. All piggeries shall be suitably isolated and maintained in such a manner that no nuisance shall be created thereby. No pen or enclosure shall be located within 150 feet of any public way.
4. All piggeries will be examined frequently by a representative of the Board of Health, who will make such recommendations to the owner as are necessary to maintain the piggery in a proper condition.
5. Properly ventilated buildings of substantial construction, preferably painted white or white-washed, well lighted, and so designed that accumulation of offensive material can be readily re- moved, shall be provided. For indoor pens watertight troughs of cement or metal kept in good repair shall be provided for feeding purposes, and these troughs must be thoroughly cleaned every day.
6. All buildings used for the housing of swine shall be kept in a clean and satisfactory condition. Brood houses shall be cleaned daily.
7. If outdoor pens or runs are provided, the swine shall be fed from platforms built of heavy watertight material flat on the ground or on skids one foot above the ground so arranged that the platform
100
BOARD OF HEALTH
can be readily moved and the ground at the earlier location ploughed in. If the feeding platform is elevated, the space between the ground and platform shall be kept clear and clean, and no food shall be allowed to accumulate about the platform or on the ground.
8. A bin for receiving garbage shall be provided, which shall be covered during warm weather.
9. Garbage cans, wagons and trucks shall be thoroughly cleansed after the garbage has been removed therefrom.
10. Manure and refuse in outdoor pens shall be cleaned out at least twice weekly and must either be removed from the premises immediately or must be so kept that it will not constitute a nuisance and so that the pigs will not have access to it.
11. If uneaten garbage, manure and refuse are collected in com- post piles, they shall be treated or covered with earth, loam or other · suitable material in sufficient amounts to eliminate any odor or nuisance. All such piles shall be at least 500 feet from any highway or dwelling. No garbage, manure or putrescible matter whatsoever shall, except in the cultivation and use of soil in ordinary methods of agriculture, be put upon the ground within 250 feet of high water mark of any source of water supply or within 250 feet of high water mark of any open waters flowing directly or ultimately into said source of water supply. In addition, during the fly-breeding seasons, they shall be sprayed daily with some suitable coal-tar compound or other satis- factory insecticide.
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