USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1952 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Twenty-six specimens were taken from Elm trees and sent to Amherst Laboratories to be tested for Dutch Elm Disease. Eight cases were found, two on private property, two on town streets and four on South Main Street, which is state highway. These trees were removed and destroyed.
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE OSGOOD,
Moth Superintendent
83
POLICE REPORT
POLICE REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens
of the Town of Middleton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report of the Middleton Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1952.
DEPARTMENT ROSTER
Chief of Police-James W. Wentworth
Sergeant-Lloyd H. Getchell
Regular Specials-Arthur G. Doane, Alexander Fraser, Joseph P. Peters, William C. Pennock
For Special Duty-Philip H. Dearth, Charles Pasquale
OFFENCE FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE
Assault and battery
4
A.W.O.L. from U.S. Navy
1
Delinquent Child
4
Drunkenness
46
Disturbing the peace
2
Escaped from Shirley Industrial School
1
For not being properly equipped with brakes
1
Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
1
Larceny
3
Leaving the scene of an accident after property damage Non support
2
Operating a Motor Vehicle to as to endanger
7
Operating a Motor Vehicle without authority
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle after revocation of license Operating under the influence of liquor
10
Operating unregistered Motor Vehicle
2
Operating uninsured Motor Vehicle
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle without a license
3
Operating a piggery without a license
2
Run away 3
2
1
84
POLICE REPORT
Speeding 7
Trespassing 1
Violation Board of Health laws
1
Violation of the Town building laws
3
Violation of fish and game laws
1
Total 110
There were nine arrests made by State Police that are not listed above.
DISPOSITIONS:
Committed to Danvers State Hospital
1
Dismissed
1
Discharged-not guilty
5
Guilty --- fined
35
Guilty-filed
13
Placed on probation
7
Released
31
Released to the Shirley Industrial School
1
Sentenced to the house of correction 3
Suspended from the house of correction
9
Suspended from the youth reception center
3
Sentenced to the youth reception center-Lyman School 1
Total 110
MISCELLANEOUS:
Ambulance and cruiser cases
33
Automobile accidents investigated 45
Booked and warned for speeding 127
Complaints received and investigated
842
Dogs shot by Police Department
8
Dogs killed by automobiles
21
Escaped patients returned to Danvers State Hospital
6
Firearm permits issued
54
Fire alarms that Police went to
18
Hours in court 179
Licenses suspended and revoked through the Registry of Motor Vehicles for speeding and etc. 64
Missing and lost persons found 1
114
Motor Vehicles transfers
117
Stolen property recovered
$7,811.75
Summons and warrants served
49
Turned over to the Town Treasurer for
firearms permits $27.00
Messages delivered
85
POLICE REPORT
Again the Chief of Police and his members will report that they 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 my officers who have faithfully performed their duties. Also to the Highway Surveyor, Fire Chief, Auxiliary Police, 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, 1952.
Complaints received and investigated
97
Dogs restrained
12
Dogs killed by automobiles 23
Dogs shot by Police Department
8
Dogs put in pound
27
Dog licenses collected and turned over to the Town Clerk $350.00
Lost dogs returned to rightful owners
23
Reports of dog bites 12
Stray dogs disposed of 27
Poultry and animals killed by dogs
12
To all dog owners, 1953 dog licenses are due and payable to the Town Clerk April 1, 1953. Penalty for being the owner or keeper of a dog after April 1, is $15.00 each if they are licensed.
In closing I wish to extend my appreciation for I am deeply grateful for the splendid spirit and cooperation shown by the Board of Selectmen and all dog owners during the year 1952.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH, Dog Officer
86
BOARD OF APPEALS
BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT
January 2, 1953
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, 1952.
Meetings held
13
Public hearings
12
Formal decisions rendered
12
Renewals issued
2
Formal opinions rendered
1
Decisions pending
2
In all cases proper public notice was given and parties at interest notified.
Copies of all formal decisions and opinions have been filed with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. SANBORN
WILLIAM T. MARTIN
BEUMONT B. HURD
CHESTER K. MASSE
RICHARD E. QUINN
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.
This department has again witnessed another successful year with our power sales approximately the same as last year and our receipts approximately $3,000 over the same period. This increase was due mostly to the clamping down on delinquent customers. Next year we will be able to report a better margin as it is planned within the next few months all accounts two months in arrears or more will be sent a Demand notice and upon receipt of said notice the customers will be given two weeks in which to pay up their account in full, failure to do so will result in immediate disconnection of service, and a charge of two dollars disconnection fee will be added to the bill.
During the past year this department in conjunction with the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company has done a consider- able amount of pole replacement in various sections of town. In the process of replacing the poles new wire was run and transformers added to better the voltage to the customer. In 1953 approximately 85-100 poles will be replaced in town at a cost of $56.00 per pole, which includes labor and material, with this department and the telephone company spliting the cost.
During 1952 we have extended our 2300 volt lines on Pinedale Road, Arrow Street, Hilldale Avenue, Middleton Pines, and the Crosby property off South Main Street, also added 21 new transformers to our lines. Installed six Mercury Vapor fixtures in the Square with an additional six scheduled for 1953. Also scheduled for 1953 is the extension of 2300 volts on Mt. Vernon Street and East Street beyond Peabody Street. 4160 volts from Middleton Square north to DeBush Avenue and East down Maple Street to the Essex Sanatorium. In conjunction with our changes Salem Electric Company is rebuilding our sub-station at Central Street so by the latter part of 1953 the entire town should be equipped with standard voltage.
88
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
The question has been brought up among the citizens as to the profit this department makes. We would like to take this opportunity to explain that all our profit is put back into the Department for improvement of which the Plant is sadly in need of. It is estimated that approximately $10,000.00 per year is put in the plant for build- ing and remodeling of our lines. Below we quote a few prices that we pay for our material.
No. 4 wire $500.00 per mile (single conductor)
Transformers $250.00 each
Poles
$ 35.00 each
Mercury Lights
(such as in Middleton Square)
$125.00 each
Meters
$ 13.00 each
We feel that the profit we make belongs to the consumer and not the taxpayer. That is why we put our total revenue back into the improvements of the lines that supply power to the consumer, thereby giving the user their just share of the profit.
Line clearing was done on Forest Street, Peabody Street, Lake Street and part of Liberty, East Street which has brought our power failures down to a low minimum. Our thanks to the Tree Warden for granting us the tree clearance we requested.
Two way radio has been installed in our two small trucks with a base station located in the Office at Memorial Hall. We are now in constant contact from truck to truck, office to trucks and Visa Versa which minimized the length of time in case of an outage, also as of December we are tied in with Peabody Electric Light giving the two towns an almost never failing means of communication in case of a severe storm or disaster of any form.
Our thanks and appreciation is again extended to the different department heads and their men for the fine cooperation extended to this department.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES G. BATES RICHARD B. FLOYD FRANK E. DOW
Commissioners
89
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
WIRE INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Dec. 30, 1952
Report of Inspector of Wires
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the year 1951.
Permits issued 72
Work completed
20
Work not completed
25
Oil burner wiring
27
Trouble investigations
73
Calls for wiring inspections not included in above
42
Total number of calls Mileage 573 miles
187
I wish to thank all Town Officials, Electric Department and the Townspeople for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK E. DOW,
Wire Inspector
90
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
January 26, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Citizens of the Town:
I wish to submit the following report of the activities of the Fire Department during the year 1952.
There were 80 calls for the Department during the year.
There were 36 box alarms and 44 still alarms.
Buildings
Auto and Truck
10
. Brush, Woods and Dumps
29
Grass
17
Oil Burners
1
Chimney
4
Electrical
2
Miscellaneous
5
Needless
3
False
2
Total 80
We have again expanded our Fire Alarm System. We have in- stalled wires on North Main Street to the junction of Essex and Forest Street and Boston Street to St. Agnes Church. Box 41 is now in service, and Box 23 is ready to be installed. New batteries were added to care for this expansion.
The department now has a recusitator available. The present inadequate Fire Station is in serious condition.
I wish to sincerely thank the Board of Engineers, my officers, and men for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY,
Chief, Fire Department
7
91
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Middleton
The Annual Report of the Planning Board for the year 1952.
The Planning Board organized with Arthur S. Tuttle as Chair- man, and Roger L. Pennell as Secretary.
The Board held its regular meetings the third Thursday of each month. There were several special meetings called by request during the year.
There were several articles on the acceptance of roads, referred to the Planning Board at the Annual Town Meeting, Mar. 11, 1952.
Regarding these articles, the Board recommended the Town accept Highland Road, Pine Street, Juniper Ave., and Cross Street. The Planning Board visited these roads, and after seeing the amount of work and money spent by the people living on these roads, the Board felt it could give their recommendation the roads also being laid out to forty feet as required by the town.
The Article on Oak Road: The Board felt it could not give its recommendation at this time for the acceptance of this road. The road is by far too narrow, and would mean considerable expense to the town to widen and build retaining walls to hold the banking on the right side of this road. Also it was brought out about the old railroad abutment and the expense of removing the same.
The Article on Bow Street: This not being an accepted street, the board felt that it would be to the best interst of the town not to spend money on private property.
During the year, the Board has received a number of requests from the Appeal Board, replies were made with recommendations as con- sidered in the best interest of the Town.
There has been one Public Hearing, held June 26, 1952, for a subdivision known as "Middleton Meadows", located on property owned by Elizabeth Nelson, Boston Street. There being no opposition against the subdivision at the Public Hearing, and the subdivider agreeing to abide by the Rules and Regulations for a sub-division, the Board gave its permission to begin this project. Said sub-division is to be under the supervision of the building inspector, regulating the construction of buildings, and the construction of the new roads being under the supervision of the Road Surveyor.
92
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
As a result of this sub-division, the Planning Board drew up a set of rules and regulations as based on the General Law of Massa- chusetts, to govern sub-divisions, for the best interest of the town. A booklet of Rules and Regulations for the submission of petitions and plans of subdivision was compiled under the supervision of the Town Counsel and printed, and are available.
In reference to the report of the committee assigned to survey the housing needs of the Fire Departmnt. Where the above committee felt any final recommendations should come from the Planning Board, the Planning Board feels that this above committee has not as yet fully completed their investigation of their proposal No. 3, as listed in Town Report of Dec. 51, and as this committee has stated that they are not fully prepared to submit a final report. The Planning Board does not feel any recommendations are in order until such time as a full and final report has been received.
The Board as present is discussing the possibility of amending the "Zoning By-Laws" to include an Industrial Area in the Town.
Approved by the Planning Board Jan. 1953.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR S. TUTTLE, Chairman ROGER L. PENNELL, Clerk ROGER F. CLAPP ALTON W. HUBBARD WILLIS W. ESTY
93
DUMP COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF PUBLIC DUMP COMMITTEE
To Honorable Board of Selectmen
February 2nd, 1953
Gentlemen:
The committee appointed by the Moderator under authority of Article 13 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 11th, 1952 wishes to submit the following report for your consideration.
The committee organized with Mr. Dorrall Berry as chairman and Mr. James H. Coffin as Secretary. After organizing the committee started work on the problem at hand. Consideration was given to locations for a dump in several different parts of the Town and each was eliminated after careful consideration. A number of meetings were held and the committee felt our needs for a good dumping location seemed to revolve around the following problems:
1. A central location.
2. A location removed considerable distance from any homes.
3. A location that could easily be maintained.
4. Also a place that would assure us of ample dumping facilities for a number of years.
We finally found a location that in our opinion answered all of the qualifications we had set forth. This site is located on land adjoin- ing what is known as Pout Pond. This property has a three hundred foot frontage on the old Railroad right of way now owned by the New England Power Co. and has a hill extending back from the right of way approximately two hundred and seventy feet joining onto swamp land.
We have taken an option on this property which comprises about fifteen acres from H. K. Richardson for the sum of $1000.00.
We have also discussed a right of way giving the Town access to this land through property of the New England Power Co. and have made suitable arrangements whereby the Town can be assured of a good road.
We have included in the Annual Town Meeting warrant two Articles for consideration of the Townspeople. The first calls for an appropriation of $1000.00 to purchase the land for a dump. The second calls for an appropriation of $1200.00 to construct and improve the roadway to the dumping location.
This location which is off of Essex Street has received the ap- proval of the Board of Health as a proper spot for a Public Dump.
Respectfully yours,
DORRALL BERRY
H. M. RICHARDSON
PERLEY LOVELACE
DOMINIC PELLICELLI JAMES H. COFFIN
94
REGIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING REPORT
REGIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING REPORT
Board of Selectmen,
Town of Middleton, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following is the first report of the Regional School Planning Committee.
At a special Town Meeting last September, the town voted to have the Moderator appoint a committee to investigate the possibili- ties for the formation of a regional high shcool. As stated by law, he appointed two citizens of the town and one member of the school committee. Mr. Daniel Donovan, Mr. James Coffin and Mr. Eben Jewett were appointed to form a regional school planning committee. This committee organized with Mr. Donovan as chairman and Mr. Jewett as secretary. Meetings have been held and certain facts seem to be evident. Over the period of the years the relationship with Holten High at Danvers, seems to be taken for granted. Now some serious facts seem to present themselves. The school at Danvers is becoming crowded and as we are "tenants at will" it seems that other means of education should be investigated. In this line of thought, meetings have been held with Lynnfield and North Reading and a three town regional school planning board was formed. Both these towns are in a more serious position than Middleton. Lynnfield has built a new junior high school and is interested in three-year senior high school. North Reading has an acute high school problem at Reading and must seek a solution. For these reasons, a regional high school set-up would seem ideal.
After lengthy and well thought out meetings, Lynnfield will recommend building their own high school, for which the plans had been started before the junior high school was built.
Middleton and North Reading still favor a regional set-up. Upon vote, Lynnfield withdrew from the three town set-up and Middleton and North Reading re-organized a two-town board for the investiga- tion of a three year junior and three year senior high school. This board selected Mr. Pomeroy of North Reading, chairman; and Mr. Jewett of Middleton, secretary. Other members are Mr. Shea and Mr. Statuti of North Reading and Mr. Donovan and Mr. Coffin of Middleton. No group meeting has as yet been held, but the Middleton
95
REGIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING REPORT
members feel this situation to be quite ideal, if good terms can be settled upon. Perhaps it should be explained that in a 6-3-3 system the six represents grade 1 thru 6. Three, the junior high or grades 7-8-9 and the second three, grades 10-11-12 or high school. With grades 7 thru 12 in a regional school, more room would be available in our local system for the primary grades. These are the first thoughts of the Middleton - No. Reading Regional Planning Board and so this report must be taken as one of progress and, as such is incomplete. For those people who have misgivings about a regional set-up as opposed to a school in their own town, it should be remem- bered that the object of a regional school system is to do for a com- munity of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do so well for themselves, in their separate or individual capacities.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN L. JEWETT,
Secretary
96
BOARD OF HEALTH
BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter IV REGULATIONS FOR CESSPOOLS, SEPTIC TANKS, PRIVIES, PRIVY-VAULTS AND PUBLIC SEWERS Town of Middleton, Massachusetts
Section 1. Every owner, occupant, or agent of premises in which there is any private sewer, drain, privy-vault, or cesspool shall keep the same in a sanitary condition and shall have every privy-vault and cesspool emptied and cleaned when necessary or at such time as ordered by the Board of Health. No privy-vault or cesspool shall be emptied except by such parties and in such manner as shall be especially authorized by the Board of Health. If the owner or occupant fails to comply with such order, the Board may cause the nuisance, source of filth, or cause of sickness to be removed, and all expenses incurred thereby shall be paid by the person who caused or permitted same, if he has had actual notice from the Board of Health of the existence thereof.
Section 2. The owner, or other person or persons having control of any building or buildings, including trailers and other portable facilities, hereafter erected as converted into, or installed as a dwell- ng to be occupied by one or more families, and to which a public sewer is accessible, shall, in a manner and within a period of time satis- factory to the Board of Health, cause such building to be connected with such public sewer.
Section 3. The owner or other person or persons having control of any building or buildings, including trailers and other portable facilities, hereafter erected, as, converted into, or installed as one or more stores or other places of business, and in which one or more persons are employed, shall provide sufficient toilet facilities, and whenever a public sewer is accessible, shall, in a manner and within a period of time satisfactory to the Board of Health, cause such stores or other places of business to be connected with such public sewer.
Section 4. No cesspool, septic tank, privy, permanent privy- vault, or other means of sewage disposal shall hereafter be constructed or installed in this town until a permit has first been obtained from the Board of Health.
Section 5. No building, trailer, or camp permit for a dwelling or other form of habitation shall be issued until the Board of Health has approved the proposed lot as suitable from a sanitary point of view for human habitation. No building, trailer, or camp permit shall be issued for a dwelling or other habitation on an unsewered street until a permit for a sewage disposal installation has been obtained from the Board of Health.
97
BOARD OF HEALTH
Section 6. All sewage disposal works hereafter constructed or installed shall be of approved material, design, and location; and unless otherwise specified by the Board of Health shall be located not less than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, not less than (25) feet from any stream, not less than ten (10) feet from the line of any street, court, or passageway, and not less than ten (10) feet from the line of adjoining lots, all measurements being taken from the nearest portion of the sewage disposal works. Cesspools shall be provided with a suitable removable cover. Overflow cesspools may be entirely covered with earth. The conversion of an abandoned well to a cesspool in areas near where water supplies are obtained from the ground is hereby prohibited. All septic tanks hereafter constructed or installed shall have an effective capacity of at least 500 gallons and shall be constructed of approved material. The effluent from such tanks must be disposed of by proper subsurface works so as not to cause a nuisance in the vicinity or to pollute any water supply.
Section 7. The owner, person, or agent responsible for the con- struction of sewage disposal works shall have its construction in- spected by the Board of Health or its representative before such con- struction is covered, and such covering shall thereafter be applied in a manner approved by the Board of Health. No person or persons shall occupy any habitation for which a permit for a sewage disposal installation has been issued until the Board of Health has determined that the terms of the permit for a sewage disposal installation have been fulfilled, except for a length of time specified in writing by the Board of Health.
Section 8. No permanent privy or privy-vault shall be hereafter constructed on premises which are provided with a public water supply. All permanent privies or privy-vaults, hereafter constructed, shall be of material and construction approved by the Board of Health; shall be fly-proof; and unless otherwise specified by the Board of Health shall be located not less than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, not less than twenty (20) feet from the line of any street, court, passageway, or adjoining lot, and in the case of a privy, it shall be located not less than one hundred (100) feet and down grade from any private water supply, all measurements being taken from the nearest outer point of the privy or privy-vault.
Section 9. Temporary privy-vaults for the convenience of per- sons engaged in construction work may be erected or installed on site of construction without a permit, but only under the following con- ditions. The vault must be at least two feet in depth and must be so located as to cause no annoyance to persons residing in the vicinity. The person in charge of the premises shall cause the privy to be maintained in a sanitary manner, and immediately upon completion
98
BOARD OF HEALTH
of the work, he shall remove the privy-vault, shall fill in the vault and leave the premises in a condition satisfactory to the Board of Health.
Section 10. No indoor toilet or water closet, except that which is provided with proper means of flushing with water at the time of using, where water is available, shall be hereafter installed on any premises in this town. Where water is not available, for fishing, indoor chemical toilets of material and construction approved by the Board of Health may be installed under special permit of the Board of Health if proper provision is made for the final disposal of the còn- tents thereof.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.