USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1955 > Part 4
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CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION
Due to the delapidated condition of the old bridge on Essex Street an entirely new wooden bridge was constructed thus ensuring safety for many years to come. This project was completed without any help other than the regular highway workers.
CHAPTER 81 MAINTENANCE
The following streets were oiled during the summer:
Street
Distance
Mill
.40
Peabody
.60
Liberty .60
Lake .30
Webb
.70
Highland Road .20
Beatle Road rebuilt and oiled .20
Locust Street rebuilt and oiled
.50
Lake Street rebuilt and oiled
.30
Debush Avenue rebuilt and oiled
.30
Kenney Road rebuilt and oiled
.20
Phaneuf Street No. 1 oiled
.017
Phaneuf Street No. 2 oiled
.012
Curtis Avenue oiled
.015
82
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
GENERAL HIGHWAY WORK
1 catch basin built on Liberty Street
1 catch basin built on Hilldale Avenue
1 catch basin built on Bellevue Avenue
During the late fall and early winter brush has been cut for a distance of six feet on either side of the streets thus improving general conditions.
The Highway Surveyor and all members of the department wish to thank the Board of Slectmen, Police Department and the Finance Committee for their fine cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. HOCTER
Highway Surveyor
83
TREE DEPARTMENT REPORT
TREE DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton
Gentlemen:
I am submitting the Annual Report of the Tree Department for the year 1955.
To date Storm Damage work in the Town of Middleton has not been completed, and the continuance of this work should be provided for in the 1956 budget.
Tree work appropriation was expended as follows:
Trees Removed Topped
Pruned Cabled
Highland Road
6
10
King Street
1
25
Maple Street
2
1
25
East Street
3
1
15
Peabody Street 1
Liberty Street
4
1
Essex Street
8
Lake Street
3
Pleasant Street
1
1
Park Avenue
1
Log Bridge Road
3
River Street 10
30
Forest Street
4
10
School Street
1
Gregory Street
1
5
Construction line clearing was done in conjunction with the Middleton Light Department and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company on the following streets:
Essex Street
Forest Street
East Street
Long Bridge Road
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation given me by the various departments during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. DONOVAN
Tree Warden
5
84
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my Annual Report for the Moth Department.
Three sprays were applied to the town trees during 1955. These sprays were for the control of Dutch Elm disease, Elm leaf beetle and Tent Caterpillar.
A Gypsy Moth spray was applied to the South Middleton area, along the Ipswich River, by air.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. DONOVAN
Moth Superintendent
85
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
POLICE DEPARTMENT 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, 1956.
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, Wilbur C. Rundlett, Jr., Harold G. Moore
For Special Duty-Philip Dearth, Charles Pasquale
OFFENSE FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE
Assault and battery 1
Breaking and entering in the night time
2
Carrying a concealed weapon (pistol)
2
Drunkenness 21
Larceny
1
Larceny of a motor vehicle
1
Leaving the scene of an accident after property damage
1
Insame persons
5
Malicious damage to property
1
Non support
3
Neglect of minor children
1
Operating a motor vehicle so as to endanger
2
Operating a motor vehicle after license suspended 5
5
Operating unregistered motor vehicle
2
Operating uninsured motor vehicle
2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license
1
Operating a motor vehicle without registration in possession 1
Speeding
13
Stubborn child
2
School offender
1
Statutory rape
1
Passing while view obstructed
1
Threats of assault
1
Violation conditions of probation
1
Total
77
Arrest made in Middleton by State Police are listed above.
Operating under the influence of liquor
86
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
DISPOSITIONS:
Committed to Danvers State Hospital 5
Discharged not guilty 1
Guilty and fined 33
Guilty filed 11
Placed on probation 3
Released 10
Sentenced to the House of Correction 2
Sentenced to the Youth Reception Center 3
Suspended from the House of Correction 2
Suspended from Concord Reformatory 1
Turned over to other department 4
Sentenced to Essex County Training School, Lawrence
1
1
Dismissed Total 77
MISCELLANEOUS:
Ambulance cases 55
Automobile accidents investigated 26
Booked and warned for speeding 141
Complaints received and investigated 682
Cruiser cases
24
Dogs shot by Police Department 11
Dogs killed by automobiles 9
Escaped patients returned to Danvers State Hospital 9
Firearm permits issued 45
Fire Alarms that Police went to 22
Hours in Court 139
Licenses suspended and revoked through the Registry
of Motor Vehicles for speeding, and etc. 51
Missing and lost persons found 4
Messages delivered 53
Motor Vehicles transfers 146
Summons and Warrants served
33
Turned over to the Town Treasurer for Firearm Permits
$22.50
Stolen Property recovered $4,692.50
There have been many property damage cases investigated not listed above which have been settled satisfactory 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 State Police, officials of the Town and the Board of Selectmen and townspeople. Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH
Chief of Police
87
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
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, 1955.
Complaints received and investigated
78
Dogs restrained
17
Dogs killed by automobiles
9
Dogs shot by Police Department
11
Dogs put in pound
16
Lost dogs returned to rightful owners
4
Reports of dog bites 17
Stray dogs disposed of 16
Poultry and animals killed by dogs 32
Caused 106 persons to license their dogs with the Town Clerk.
To all dog owners: 1956 dog licenses are due and payable to the Town Clerk April 1, 1956.
In closing I wish to extend my appreciation for the cooperation shown by the Board of Selectmen and all dog owners during the year 1956.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH
Chief of Police
88
BOARD OF APPEALS
BOARD OF APPEALS
Board of Selectmen
Middleton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is a factual report of the activities of the Board of Appeals for the year ending December 31, 1955:
Meetings Held 12
Applications 10
Applications Withdrawn 1
Public Hearings
8
Decisions Rendered 8
Decisions Granted
6
Decisions Not Granted
2
Decisions Pending
1
Renewals Issued 1
In all cases proper public notices was given and parties at interest notified.
Copies of all formal decisions and renewals have been filed at the office of the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. SANBORN
WILLIAM T. MARTIN
BEUMONT B. HURD
CHESTER K. MASSE
R. L. S. MARSH
Board of Appeals
89
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Middleton,
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Electric Light Department for the year ending December 31, 1955.
The main projects of the year were as follows:
1. Primary lines were extended on Rockway and Gould Roads.
2. The lines and poles were relocated on Essex Street to conform with the Chapter 90 road construction.
3. A 3 phase line and transformer bank were constructed at the site of the new Open Air Theater.
4. Three of the new type Mercury Vapor Street Light Fixtures were added at Middleton Square and we have also started to replace some of the obsolete fixtures throughout other sections of Town.
5. A new transformer was installed on our Street Light Circuits at the Sub-Station, which relieved an existing overload.
6. Thirty consumer's services were converted from 120 volts to 240 volts and twenty-four new services were installed.
7. During the year we purchased 5,303,791 KWH of Electric Energy at a cost of $81,694.80 which is an increase of 535,959 KWH over the previous year. Our line loss was 11.8% or 3.91% less than the previous year.
8. Extensive line clearing has been continued during the year with the result that we have had much fewer interruptions due to trees and limbs.
9. Transformer capacities were increased at various locations in Town to conform with increased loads.
We, the Board of Electric Light Commissioners, wish to thank the various Departments in the Town for their continued cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS
George W. Nash John J. Muzichuk Frank E. Dow
90
INSPECTOR OF WIRES REPORT
INSPECTOR OF WIRES REPORT
Board of Selectmen
Middleton, Massachusetts
1
Gentlemen:
I wish to submit my report for the year 1955.
There were 124 permits issued, 58 of which included change of service from 110 to 220 volts due to bad conditions or increase in load. Forty-two of these were permits for power oil burners, 11 new homes, 1 open air theatre and 2 garages.
All jobs have been inspected up to date but approximately 15 which are still in the process of construction.
A total of 127 calls have been made since June 12, 1955 covering 735 miles.
There were many calls made at the request of persons who are planning to have electrical work installed and would like information.
I would like to express to the townspeople that it is very import- ant to have electrical work done by a competent licensed electrician. It is for their safety that electrical work be inspected.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Electric Light Dept. and the people of Middleton for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN MILBERY
91
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Middleton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Fire Department for the year 1955:
Buildings
14
Auto and Truck
6
Brush, Woods and Dump
20
Grass
26
Oil Burners
3
Chimney
.
.
3
Electrical
3
Miscellaneous (accidents, etc.)
5
Rescue Calls
3
Out of Town
1
Lost Persons
3
Needless
3
False
1
Total
91
Box Alarms
49
Still Alarms
42
Total 91
Inspections and permits granted for the following:
Fuel Oil Permits
28
Permits for L.P. Gas
71
Fireworks
1
Gasoline
2
Calls for Fire Permits
436
.
.
.
.
ยท
92
FIRE DEPARTMENT
During the past year we have expanded our Fire Alarm System. Through the interest and cooperation of the B.B. Chemical Company we were able to extend our lines out Boston Street to the Peabody Line. Boxes were installed at the B.B. Chemical Company boiler room, the corner of Phaneuf Street and Boston Street. We also were able to extend our lines on Maple Street and install a box at the corner of East Street and Maple Street. We now have fourteen (14) boxes installed.
I have inserted an article in the warrant asking for an appro- priation for two (2) mobile radio units and a remote control unit to complete our radio system. Through a misunderstanding of the F.C.C. rules we were unable to use the Light Department's transmitter, and therefore, we had to provide one of our own.
I would, at this time, like to say that our first line pumper, Engine I, is a 1932 model, making it twenty-four (24) years old. While it still performs reasonably well it is my recommendation that serious thought be given to its replacement in the near future.
We have completed our first year of operations from our new building. It has been a most gratifying year for the men in the Department. The new building is indeed a credit to the Town.
We invite the citizens of the Town to visit the Fire Station and see what we have in the line of fire and rescue equipment.
I would again like to thank the citizens of the Town of Middleton, the Board of Fire Engineers, my officers and men for their sincere cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY
Chief, Fire Department
93
FIRE-HIGHWAY BUILDING COMMITTEE
Report of Fire Station and Highway Building Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Middleton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
As this is a final report, this committee wishes to take this opportunity to thank all of the Boards, Committees, and individual citizens who have cooperated and contributed so much to help us bring this project to completion.
The committee feels that we were indeed fortunate in procuring the architect, Mr. Ray Thibedeau and the firm of Conti & Donahue to build this building for us, together with the many other special services and materials procured to comply with the specifications contained in Article 16 and 17 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 21, 1953.
With an original appropriation of $68,000.00, the following brief summary of expenditures is offered for your examination:
Final contract with Conti & Donahue $ 55,545.96
Architect, Ray Thibedeau 3,888.22
Labor and Material, Fire Alarm
2,627.02
Highway yard, labor and material, hot top
639.25
Newspaper advertisement, News, Eagle, Herald 146.28
Water connection, Town of Danvers 245.67
Miscellaneous expenses 2,914.33
Project Total $ 66,016.68
Unexpended Funds - Transferred to Town
Surplus
1,983.32
$ 68,000.00
94
FIRE-HIGHWAY BUILDING COMMITTEE
To those citizens who are interested, the committee welcomes inspection of complete, written records of all transactions and their individual costs which are now in the hands of the Town Clerk.
The following is a time schedule that may be of interest: March 21, 1953
Annual Town Meeting, Article 16 and 17 Appropriation $68,000.00 March 30, 1953
Organization meeting of Building Committee
August 6, 1953
Invitation for Bids in Danvers Herald
Sept. 28, 1953
Permission from Library Trustees for use of Library land Sept. 9, 1953
Agreement with Contractor and Architect Dec. 29, 1953
Variance of zoning ordinance granted for building permit March 9, 1954
Ground breaking by Conti & Donahue, builders August 30, 1954
Temporary use of new fire house Nov. 8, 1954
Invitation for bids to dismantle old fire house March 15, 1955
Dedication of new fire house June, 1955
Old fire house razed complete.
The firm of Muzichuk Building Wrecking Company was awarded the contract to raze the old Fire House, with a payment to the Town of Middleton of $227.50. This sum of money could not be used by the committee and therefore does not appear in the list of expenditures.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY, Chairman JOHN J. HOCTOR WILBUR C. RUNDLETT, JR. WILLIAM G. BIRCH, Secretary
95
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
Board of Selectmen
Town of Middleton
Board of Selectmen:
This is a resume of the activities of the Planning Board for the year 1955.
This Board organized and held its first meeting following Town Election. Louis A. Barett was elected Chairman; Wilbur C. Rundlett. Temporary Secretary.
Meetings were held every third Thursday of each month; also many special meetings were held to have time in case of urgency.
Our zoning laws have been quite beneficial, and have been enforced.
All requests that came from Builders, developers and indivduals requesting information about Sub-division Control Laws have been dealt with in the best interest of the Town.
We have held some educational meetings which we feel were for the best interest and mutual understanding of all interested in our community.
One sub-division on South Main Street was approved by the Planning Board. Other sub-divisions are still pending, and will be approved when they comply with all sub-division laws to the satis- faction of the Planning Board.
This Board has been quite active during the past year.
We wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and every other Board and Department, also all the citizens that cooperated with us.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS A. BARETT, Chairman FRANK SILVA WILBUR C. RUNDLETT EDWARD HOFFMAN WILLIAM E. WILLETT
96
PUBLIC WELFARE AND OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT
Report to the Town of Middleton for the year ending December 31, 1955.
GENERAL RELIEF:
Unsettled state
1 case
1 person
Outside cities and towns
2 cases
5 persons
Middleton settled
2 cases
9 persons
Division of Child Guardianship
2 cases
2 persons
State Infirmary
2 cases
2 persons
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
(No settlement laws in ADC)
6 cases
17 persons
DIABILITY ASSISTANCE:
(No settlement laws in DA)
2 cases
2 persons
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE:
Unsettled state
9 cases
Outside cities and towns
7 cases
Middleton settled
27 cases
Total
43 cases
CUMMINGS FUND:
Persons aided (Middleton residents)
7 cases
32 persons
The general trend is for a decreasing case load in all categories with the exception of DA. However, though the number aided is smaller there is a state wide trend for higher expenditure per case. This can be traced directly to the increased and increasing cost of medical care, and the medical care program. In Old Age Assistance it can be attributed to the larger number of persons now being cared for in nursing homes and because of the general advance in age of our population. In the other categories it means improved care and supervision of medical needs.
Per Month Per Case
Average medical payroll for OAA for 1955
$1,961.00
$45.60
Average medical payroll for DA for 1955
22.25
11.13
Average medical payroll for ADC for 1955
106.00
17.70
The Board of Public Welfare wishes to thank the other depart- ments of the Town for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LESLIE E. MERRIFIELD, Chr. CHARLES PASQUALE LEYLAND A. PHILLIPS, Clerk
97
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Town of Middleton REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Your Finance Committee hereby submits its report and recom- mendations for the 1956 budget. Each item has been thoroughly investigated and has received serious consideration. The requests, in many cases, were higher than last year's figures but our discussions with department heads indicates that there is a sincere effort to keep expenses to a minimum.
The money you townspeople vote to raise and appropriate at the Town Meeting must, in large measure, be assessed against real estate, and like it or not, your Finance Committee is obliged to consider this fact when we are asked to recommend appropriations to meet the expenses of running the town as efficiently and economically as possible.
The recommended budget plus the articles in the warrant amount to $342,373.30. This sum is $5,155.09 less than the expenditures of 1955. It must be recalled however that several large sums of a unique nature were expended in 1955, thus making the total some- what larger than the normal predicted spending.
With the same careful management exhibited in the past, we are sure that the cost of operating the town can be held within the recommended budget.
The following amounts were transferred from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund in 1955 and are included in the expenditures of the departments which received them.
Date
Department
Amount
June 7
Cemetery Department
$ 507.45
July 14 Tree Department
130.00
July 14 Board of Selectmen
250.00
Aug. 11 Finance Committee
20.46
Sept. 20 Town Treasurer
170.00
Oct. 25
Insurance (boilers 3)
173.69
Oct. 25
Park Department, Expenses
7.94
Oct. 25
Cemetery Department, Graves
150.00
Oct. 25
Collector of Taxes, Expenses
50.00
Oct. 25 Town Clerk, Expenses 45.00
Oct. 25 Memorial Hall, Expenses
300.00
1
98
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Dec. 31
Selectmen, Expenses
8.16
Dec. 31
Town Clerk
2.62
Dec. 31
Town Hall, Expenses
7.60
Dec. 31
Memorial Hall, Expenses
28.79
Dec. 31
Police Department, Expenses
23.06
Dec. 31 Health Department
15.99
Dec. 31
Veterans Aid
106.88
Dec. 31 Cemetery Department
.11
$ 1,997.75
Reserve Fund
$ 2,000.00
Transfers
1,997.75
Transferred to Surplus Revenue $ 2.25
ELMER McINTIRE, Chairman
FREDERICK JONES
HAZEN M. RICHARDSON
RICHARD CRESSEY
DONALD A. AYLWARD, Clerk
99
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ANNUAL TOWN WARRANT
ARTICLE 1. To hear and act on Committee Reports.
No recommendation needed.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1956, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew such note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 17 of the General Laws.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 3. To see what action the Town will take to defray the Town Expenses for the ensuing year.
Committee recommendations are set forth in schedule "A"
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Assessors to use $12,000.00 from available funds to reduce the tax rate.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 5. On petition of the Cemetery Commissioners, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 to be used by the Cemetery Commissioners to improve and enlarge the Cemetery; said amount to be taken from the Lots and Graves Fund.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 6. On petition of the Fire Chief, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1500.00 to buy the following Radio Equipment: Two (2) Mobile Units and one (1) Remote Control Unit. This amount to be taken from available funds.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to elect, in accordance with Chapter 402 of the Acts of 1910, three Water Commissioners
100
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
at the annual election in March 1957; said Commissioners to be elected for the following terms of office: One for 3 years, one for 2 years, and one for one year.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $400.00; said sum to be used to reimburse the Town of Danvers for the repair of the water main at Lakeview Avenue, Middleton in the year 1955.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $56.73, said sum to be used to reimburse the Town of Danvers for repairs to the Water Service at Howe-Manning School in the year 1950.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $800.00 to be used for the repair and maintenance of the Water Mains and Hydrants in the Town of Middleton; said amounts to to taken from available funds.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $78.90; said amount to be used to pay the expenditure of the School Facilities Committee in the year 1955.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 12. On petition of John R. Wallen and others, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the purchase of material to be used to install street lights on Curtis Avenue and the accepted portions of Phaneuf Street. This amount to be taken from the earnings of the Electric Light Department.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 13. On petition of the Electric Light Commissioners, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $2,500.00; said money to be taken from the Surplus Account of the Electric Light Department, for the purchase of an abandoned power line on Maple Street from the Town of Danvers. Said line to be converted to the
101
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Department's use on Maple Street, and to convert the Department's present line to a 4-wire, 4160-volt line.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 14. On petition of the Electric Light Commissioners, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $2,000.00; said money to be taken from the Surplus Account of the Electric Light Department, to remodel a part of the Department's present Sub-Station to conform to a newly construced 4160-volt line.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 15. On petition of the Electric Light Commissioners, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,184.75; said money to be taken from the Surplus Account of the Electric Light Department to reimburse the New England Tel. & Tel. Company for a one-half (1/2) interest in pole construction done by them prior to 1955 and jointly used by both New England Tel. & Tel. Co. and the Electric Light Dept.
Committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 16. On petition of the Electric Light Commissioners, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,500.00; said money to be taken from the Surplus Account of the Electric Light Department; this sum together with the exchange value of the present 1951 Line Truck is to be expended for the purchase of a new Line Truck.
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