USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1961 > Part 3
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Anna Laura Kamerik
Apr. 11 Sharon Edith Ogden
William Francis Ogden
Apr. 13 Cathy Ann McLean
Martha Frances Rowell John Alfred McLean Sandra June Brown Edward Alvin Margeson
Apr. 20 Geoffrey Brandt Rowell
Apr. 21 Mark Stephen Rowe
Barbara Elizabeth Hilton John Edwin Rowe Sherrill Ann Duker
Parker Endicott Gifford
Marilyn Ardis Evans
May 5 Danette Rae Barthelemy
May 9 Daniel Rosmane Whipple
May 9 Maureen Connolly
May 12 Mary Ellen Ahern
May 16 Janet Leigh Lovering
May 25 Carl James DiFrancesco, Jr.
May 27 "Baby Girl" Hidden
May 29 "Baby Girl" Peachey
June 4 Terry Lee Karlin
June 9 Joan Muzichuk
Murray Ralph Karlin Laura Alterman John Muzichuk
Nellie Janet Blezinski
June 13 Doreen Lee Gage
June 16 Susan Mary Dellazoppa
June 22
Eileen Marie Port
Lester Frank Gage Anita Dube Frank L. Dellazoppa
Lorraine Dolores Boucher George E. Port, Jr. Ann E. Donnelly
Apr. 14 Denise Ellen Margeson
Evelyn Mary Spencer
Winfield Eaton Rowell
May
2
Candy Alva Gifford
Walter C. Barthelemy Eunice Mae Thurston
Harold Alvah Whipple Bevely Jane Stowell Robert Francis Connolly Christine Sophie Joly John Francis Ahern Mary Joan Ahern
Lloyd Edward Lovering Dorothy Erdine Daly Carl J. DiFrancesco Eloise G. Boucher David W. Hidden
Janet E. Anderson
Robert T. Peachey Betty M. Fuller
Langston P. Wall
Claire Murphy
55
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Date of Birth
Name of Child
Names of Parents
July 14 Kent Ballard
Lloyd F. Ballard Martha McGoldrick
July 25 Maria Martin
James Knott Martin
Ruth Lucille Lindley
July 27 Valerie Lee Blais
Leopold Simeon Blais Opal Carrie Yerta William F. O'Meara Norma M. Malagodi
Aug. 4 Regina Louise O'Meara
Aug. 13
Jeffrey Ross Brooks
Sept. 11 David Erik Groom
Sept. 11 Mark Charles Bishop
Sept. 15
Elaine Marie Miller
Paul James Brooks Merry Frances Ross Thomas Groom Vera E. Fossum John Marvin Bishop Joan Gladys Farrell George William Miller Doris Louise Dunn John Joseph Phaneuf Carmen Marie Brochu
Oct. 3 Bradford Warren Page Robert Warren Page
Oct. 6 Douglas Richard Crosby
Kathryn Janet Boemig Robert William Crosby
Oct. 9 Blake Thomas Hooper
Natalie Claire Russell Ronald Winstow Hooper Catherine Grace Thorpe
Oct. 16 Kimberly Marcella Rubchinuk Fred Rubchinuk
Oct. 16 Erik North Bender
Marcella Adelaide Hebb Stephen L. Bender
Patricia S. Miller
Oct. 23 Denise Joanne Prendible
Richard Francis Prendible
Alice Lorraine Belle
Peter E. Roos Suzanne M. Hiss
Charles Henry Saben
Alice Catherine Sheridan George Dean Luscomb
Nov. 14 Diana Lynne Luscomb
Nov. 16 "Baby Girl" Mason
Nov. 17 Mark William Barrett
Nov. 25 Laura Ann Tibbetts
Linda Ogden Denno Warren Clayton Mason Joan Louise Scranton William Barrett
Doris Joan Peachey John Paul Tibbetts Gloria E. Vandenbroeck
Oct. 2 David John Phaneuf
Oct. 26 Edwin George Roos
Oct. 26 Gretchen Lyn Saben
56
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Date of Birth
Name of Child
Names of Parents
Nov. 29 Joseph Ernest Bouchard
Nov. 30 "Baby Girl" Brown
Robert S. Brown
Bettina P. Shaw
Dec. 5 Kevin Edward Sutherland
Harvey S. Sutherland
Dawn Pearl Evans
Dec. 16 Donald Lee Johnson
Donald L. Johnson
Harriet B. VanKnowe
Dec. 30 Patti-Anne Madden
Peter Madden
Nancy M. Glidden
Dec. 16 George Thomas Malone
James B. Malone
Rosmary A. Sheehy
Peter A. Nelson
Janet L. Ruest
John Henry Demers, Jr.
Jean Brice Lucier
John Walter Medalka
Patricia Anna Mallett
Dec. 29
Scott Elliott Rowell
Herbert Edward Rowel Anna Gove Taylor
Dog Taxes Collected For 1961
200 Male Dogs @ $2.00
$ 400.00
36 Female Dogs @ $5.00
180.00
117 Spayed Female Dogs @ $2.00 6 Kennel @ $10.00
234.00
60.00
2 Kennel @ $25.00
50.00
$ 924.00
Less Fees Deducted 90.25
$ 833.75
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM T. MARTIN, JR.
Town Clerk
Dec. 12 Christine Marie Nelson
Dec. 21 Barbara Jean Demers
Dec. 28 Cynthia Anne Mendalka
Armand Robert Bouchard Ruth Irene Townsend
57
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Record of Resident Deaths For 1961
Name of Deceased Age
Jan. 8 Edna M. Orben
40
Jan. 24
Carrie L. Paradise 81
Jan. 31
Mae E. Gleason 81
Feb. 14
Joseph Diamond 73
Mar. 20 Walter C. Somers
42
Mar. 22 Angelo Calo 79
Apr. 3
George Benjamin Ogden
69
Apr. 21
Mary G. Comstock 66
May 15
Gladys Lillian Cloutman 70
85
May 22 David E. Hurst
68
May 25
Winthrop P. Porter
58
July 10
Ida M. Donovan
62
July 26
Ronald Pollock, Jr.
4 mos.
July 29
Margaret L. Currier
59
Aug. 28
George Francis Evans
83
Aug. 22
Clarence E. Richardson 60
66
Sept. 18 Mary Nancy Harsnett
73
Oct. 3
William Thomas Martin
78
Oct. 12
Victoria Tardiff
82
Oct. 26 Female Infant Saben
Oct. 29 Frances M. Major
72
Oct. 18 Addie Page
76
Oct. 10
Walter H. Milbery
68
Nov. 16
Vernon Elephalet Coffin
83
Nov. 6 George A. Nieforth 57
Nov. 15 Rhoda Louise Duncan 83
Dec. 16 William H. Sanborn
74
Dec. 31 Everett D. Bryer 87
Jan. 24 Frederick P. Daniels
43
May 20
Pauline B. Wake
Sept. 15
Harry Joseph Gray
59 Non-Resident Deaths
58
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Fish and Game Licenses Issued For 1961
137 Resident Citizen Fishing
140 Resident Citizen Hunting
47 Resident Citizen Sporting
29 Resident Citizen Minor Fishing
15 Resident Citizen Female Fishing
2 Resident Citizen
Trapping
2 Non-Resident Citizen
Fishing
1 Alien Fishing
1 Duplicate of Lost License
3 Archery Deer Stamp
11 Resident Citizen Sporting (70 years or older)
59
LIST OF JURORS
LIST OF JURORS
Mr. Charles H. Metcalf Assistant Clerk of Courts Salem, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Following is a list of the Jurors prepared by the Selectmen of the Town of Middleton, in accordance with Chapter 234, Section 4, General Laws:
Armitage, Samuel P. 123 No. Main St. Bridge Painter
Black, Thomas D., Jr.
Peabody St. Mch. Shop Maintenance
Brothers, George L. Boston St. Inspector
Clark, Richard D.
No. Main St. Mech. Dev. Div.
Churchill, Eugene E.
Oak Road Crane Operator
Horne, Herbert I. Park Ave. Box and Skid Maker
Hurd, Beaumont Essex St. Plumber
Kimball, George C.
Mt. Vernon St. Mechanic
LaFleur, Edward F. Forest St. Leather Worker
LeBlanc, Eugene J.
School St. Skid, Box & Form Maker
Lennox, Robert E. Liberty St. Leather Sorter - Shipper
Marshall, Richard J., Jr. Riverview Dr. Assembler
McIntire, Elmer L.
Riverview Dr. Trucker
Murphy, Richard M. Maple St. Engineering
Peterson, Carl A.
Forest St. Occupational Therapist
Very truly yours, BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Wilbur C. Rundlett, Jr., Chairman
60
BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT
BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the period ending December 31, 1961. Although there were only sixteen new homes started during 1961 there was an increase in the average value per unit. Improve- ments to exisiting buildings remained high but new construction of buildings was far below that of last year.
Permits Issued
16 Dwellings
Estimated Value $185,000.00
8 Garages 27,500.00
4 Repairs 25,650.00
9 Remodeling 15,500.00
7 Additions 12,200.00
3 Porches 2,500.00
2 Barns 600.00
1 Platform 300.00
4 Sheds 250.00
1 Sign
200.00
1 Stand
50.00
8 Buildings Razed
2 Buildings Reshingled
2 Buildings Moved
2 Buildings Condemned
Total Estimated Value $269,750.00
Amount collected in fees and turned over to
the Town Treasurer $ 193.50
Respectfully submitted,
W. C. RUNDLETT, JR.
Building Inspector
61
ASSESSORS' REPORT
ASSESSORS' REPORT
The following is a recapitulation of the money appropriated by the Town of Middleton and the estimated receipts deducted therefrom in the determination of the 1961 tax rate.
APPROPRIATIONS
Town Appropriations
$831,898.85
Total appropriations voted to be
taken from available funds
33,589.15
Deficits due to abatements in excess of overlay of prior years
569.85
State Parks and Reservations
1,872.14
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
18.20
County Tax
10,700.70
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
3,819.14
1961 Overlay
24,665.66
Gross amount to be raised
907,481.06
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Income Tax
62,951.97
Corporation Taxes
15,400.60
Reimbursement on acount of publicly owned land
2,843.35
Old Age tax (Meals) Chap. 64B, S. 10
1,637.74
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
45,886.00
Licenses
3,921.00
Fines
65.00
General Government
1,477.00
Protection of Persons and Property
345.00
Health and Sanitation
550.00
Highways
406.00
Charities (Other than Federal Grants)
7,390.00
Old Age Assistance (Other than Federal Grants)
16,516.00
Veteran's Services
632.00
Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included)
16,570.00
Public Service Enterprises
202,936.00
Cemeteries (Other than trust funds and sale of lots)
895.00
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
919.00
State Assistance for School Construction
9,970.00
Farm Animal Excise
272.00
62
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Lieu of Taxes (Town of Danvers)
1,200.00
Lieu of Taxes (Middleton Electric Light)
5,000.00
Total estimated receipts and available funds 431,619.91 Gross amount to be raised 907,481.06
Total estimated receipts and available funds
431,619.91
Net amount to be raised by taxation
475,861.15
Net amount raised by taxation on personal property
11,657.84
Net amount raised by taxation on real estate
462,191.31
Number of polls assessed 1006
2,012.00
TOTAL VALUATION
Personal Property
185,045.00
Real Estate
7,336,370.00
1961 Tax Rate
63.00
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL B. WAKE, SR., Chairman
WILBUR A. WITHAM
ERNEST F. LeBEAU
63
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
REAL ESTATE TAXES - 1960
Balance January 1, 1961
Interest
$ 22,384.19 542.26
Collections :
Tax
21,259.52
Interest
542.26
Abatements
12.65
Transferred to Tax Title Accounts
1,112.02
$ 22,926.45
$ 22,926.45
REAL ESTATE TAXES - 1961
1961 Commitment
Interest
$462,191.31 99.78 3,804.67
Collections :
Tax
419,317.46
Interest
99.78
Abatements
15,406.66
Transferred to Tax Title Accounts
1,983.87
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
29,287.99
$466,095.76
$466,095.76
MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAILER EXCISE TAXES - 1959
Recommitted 1961
$ 160.33
Interest
16.73
Collections :
Tax
160.33
Interest
16.73
$ 177.06
$ 177.06
Refunds
64
BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT
MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAILER EXCISE TAXES - 1960
Balance January 1, ,1961
$ 8,581.33
Committed 1961
11,895.15
Interest
363.20
Refunds
1,091.70
Collections :
Tax
19,278.77
Interest
363.20
Abatements
2,138.20
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
151.21
$ 21,931.38
$ 21,931.38
MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAILER EXCISE TAXES - 1961
1961 Commitments
$ 52,559.02
Interest
43.17
Refunds
1,312.67
Collections :
Tax
39,982.01
Interest
43.17
Abatements
2,953.16
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
10,936.52
$ 53,914.96
$ 53,914.86
POLL TAXES - 1960
Balance January 1, 1961
$ 92.00
Interest
2.80
Collections :
Tax
70.00
Interest
2.80
Abatements
22.00
$ 94.80
$ 94.80
65
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
POLL TAXES - 1961
1961 Commitment
$ 2,014.00
Interest
2.22
Refunds
4.00
Collections :
Tax
1,662.00
Interest
2.22
Abatements
332.00
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
24.00
$ 2,020.22
$ 2,020.22
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES - 1960
Balance January 1, 1961
$ 1,116.36
Interest
19.55
Collections :
Tax
872.85
Interest
19.55
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
$ 1,135.91
$ 1,135.91
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES - 1961
1961 Commitment
$ 11,657.84
Interest
1.13
Collections :
Tax
10,830.65
Interest
1.13
Abatements
18.90
808.29
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
$ 11,658.97
$ 11,658.97
243.51
66
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
FARM ANIMAL EXCISE TAXES
1960
Balance January 1, 1961
$ 17.37
Interest Collections :
.77
Tax
17.37
Interest
.77
$ 18.14
$ 18.14
FARM ANIMAL EXCISE TAXES
- 1961
1961 Commitment
$ 265.78
Interest
.17
Collections :
Tax
247.03
Interest
.17
Uncollected balance December 31, 1961
18.75
$ 265.95
$ 265.95
SUMMARY AND COMPARISON COMMITMENTS AND COLLECTIONS 1960-1961
Commitments Commitments
1960
1961
Amt. of Increase
Real Estate Taxes
$434,172.16
$462,191.31
$ 28,019.15
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes
50,190.70
64,454.17
14,263.47
Poll Taxes
2,004.00
2,014.00
10.00
Personal Property Toxes
21,685.89
11,657.84
10,028.05*
Farm Animal Excise Taxes 252.00
265.78
13.78
Total Commitment
$508,304.75
$540,583.10
$ 32,278.35
* Decrease
67
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Collections 1960
Real Estate Taxes
$411,680.75
Collections 1961 $441,219.02
Amt. of Increase $ 29,538.27 11,506.53
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes 48,337.68
59,844.21
Poll Taxes
1,666.14
1,737.02
70.88
Personal Property Taxes
20,784.67
11,724.18
9,060.49*
Farm Animal Excise Taxes
274.98
265.34
9.64*
Total Collections
$482,744.22
$514,789.77
$ 32,045.55
* Decrease
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS
1960
1961
Increase
Real Estate
1,250
1,316
66
Motor Vehicle Excise
1,897
2,214
317
Poll
1,002
1,007
5
Personal Property
66
61
5*
Farm Animal Excise
4
4
Total
4,219
4,602
383
Decrease
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD E. TYLER,
Collector of Taxes
68
TREE DEPARTMENT REPORT
TREE DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the
Citizens of the Town of Middleton
I hereby submit my report for the year 1961.
Tree work appropriation was expended as follows:
Street
Trees Removed
Maple Street
10
East Street 5
Forest Street 13
Essex Street 7
Liberty Street 4
Construction line clearing was done in conjunction with the Electric Light Department and the Telephone Co. throughout the town.
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation given me by the various Departments during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES DONOVAN
Tree Warden
69
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton
I hereby submit my report for the year 1961.
Extensive spraying was applied to the trees in town during 1961. Extensive spraying was applied in conjunction with the Highway Dept. for poison ivy and brush control.
New Trees
The Department Replaced and Planted new Trees throughout the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES DONOVAN
Moth Superintendent
70
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, 1961.
DEPARTMENT ROSTER
James W. Wentworth, Chief of Police Lloyd H. Getchell, Sergeant
REGULAR SPECIALS
Arthur G. Doane
William C. Pennock
Robert Hurd
Norman D. Welch
Harold G. Moore
Robert Peachey
OFFENSE FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE
Armed robbery while being masked
3
AWOL
1
Breaking and Entering in the Night-Time
1
Causing a false alarm
3
Drunkeness
19
Escaped from the Danvers State Hospital
3
Escaped from the Youth Service Board
1
Having a dangerous weapon in a Motor Vehicle
3
Insane Person
4
Larceny
3
Larceny from a person
4
Lewd and lacivious cohabitation
1
Non-Support
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle without authority
5
Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle after their license was suspended 3
Operating a Motor Vehicle which was uninsured
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle which was unregistered 1
Operating a Motor Vehicle while under
the Influence of Liquor 3
71
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Speeding 17
Violation of Probation 1
Total - 79
Arrests made in Middleton by the State Police 1
State Police assistance rendered during arrests 4
MISCELLANEOUS
Ambulance Cases 91
Automobile accidents investigated 76
Booked and warned for speeding, etc. 92
Complaints received and investigated 606
Cruiser Cases 57
Dogs shot by Police Department 4
Dogs killed by automobiles 11
Escaped patients returned to Danvers State Hospital
3
Firearm Permits issued 10
Fire Alarms that Police went to 14
Licenses suspended or revoked through the
Registry of Motor Vehicles for speeding, etc 58
Missing and lost persons found 3
Messages delivered 52
Summonses and Warrants served 216
Turned over to the Town Treasurer for Firearm Permits $30.00
Stolen property recovered $13,290.53
As in the past the Police Department has conducted many inves- tigations not listed above which have been settled satisfactorily to all concerned without making arrests or going to court.
In closing the men are to be commended for their prompt response and their efficiency of operation. A sincere thanks is ex- tended to the State Police, officials of the Town of Middleton and to the Board of Selectmen and to the Townspeople. To all those who have assisted this department in any way we are grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH
Chief of Police
72
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Complaints received and investigated 123
Dogs restrained 17
Dogs killed by automobiles 11
Dogs shot by Police Department 4
Dogs put in pound
12
Dogs returned to their rightful owners
6
Report of Dog Bites
17
Stray dogs disposed of
12
INFORMATION DOG OWNERS SHOULD KNOW
A new law has been passed that all stray dogs that are picked up and have no collar or name plate are to be turned over to the Animal Research Center within 48 hours from the time that they are picked up, to be used for medical purposes. If all dogs are licensed and tagged the Dog Officer can look up the owner and return the dog.
In closing, I would like to thank the public for their co-operation during the past 12 years that I have been Dog Officer and inform them of my resignation as Dog Officer as of December 31, 1961, and inform them of the newly appointed Dog Officer, Harold G. Moore.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. WENTWORTH
Chief of Police
73
BOARD OF APPEALS
BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton
Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeals respectfully submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Regular meetings held at Memorial Hall South Main Street, on the second Thursday of every month at 8:00 P.M.
All application for Public Hearings MUST be in the hands of the Board of Appeals Clerk and MUST include the names and addresses of all abuttors concerned, if any, at least 30 days before regular meeting nights in order to properly process said applications and have said applications published, as the law requires, at least 21 days before the hearing is held.
All applications for Public Hearing MUST be filed at the Town Clerk's Office.
Regular Meetings Held 11
Special Meetings Held 12
Public Hearings Held 15
Decisions Granted 10
Decisions Rejected 4
Applications Dismissed 2
Renewals Granted 5
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF APPEALS
Beaumont Hurd, Chairman (Acting)
Thomas D. Black, Jr., Clerk Walter Clinton
Nathan Hayward, Jr. Roy Schneider
74
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the
Citizens of the Town of Middleton
Gentlemen :
The Board of Electric Light Commissioners respectfully submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Regular and Special meetings were held by this Board at Memorial Hall.
The Department purchased 7,991,846 K.W.H. of electricity at a cost of $126,227.79.
Our peak demand occurred on Jan. 20th and was 1632 K.W.
The systems distribution losses were 7.8%.
The three phase line on River Street was extended for a distance of 7,780 ft.
The circuit on East Street was rebuilt and larger wire installed between Maple Street and Peabody Street.
A section of the lines on Forest Street was relocated to conform with the road construction project.
Our pole lines were relocated on No. Main Street at the site of the State Highways Swan Pond Bridge construction.
During the year 23 services were converted from 120 volt 2 wire to 240 volt 3 wire installations. Thirty-two new 3 wire services were installed and seven temporary services connected.
On March first we were able to offer the consumers purchasing power under "Commercial Rate B" a ten percent discount privilege.
The Street Light system was extended on So. Main Street to the Town Line.
Nine Mercury Vapor fixtures were installed in the vicinity of Middleton Sq.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the Town Officials and Citizens for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Electric Light Commissioners FRANK E. DOW J. LANSING ENGLISH JOHN MUZICHUK
75
INSPECTOR OF WIRES
INSPECTOR OF WIRES REPORT
-
Board of Selectmen Middleton, Massachusetts
I wish to submit my report for the year 1961.
There were 387 permits issued: 16 New Homes, 31 New Services, 8 Temporary Services, 63 Four Wire Services, 1 Motel and 20 Oil Burner permits. The remainder consisted of additional building, garages, air conditioners and additional wiring the homes.
All jobs have been inspected up to date. There are approximately 30 permits still in process of construction or not finished.
A total of 387 calls have been made since January 1, 1961 cover- ing 1,300 miles. There were many calls at the request of those planning to have electrical work installed and wanting information.
I would like to express to the Townspeople that it is very important to have adequate power when they have additional wiring. There were many homes found over-loaded for their supply of power. Also, it is very important to have electrical work done by a com- petent licensed electrician. It is for their safety that electrical work be inspected.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Electric Light Depart- ment and the people of Middleton for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN MILBERY
76
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and
Citizens of Middleton :
I hereby submit by Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1961.
The Fire Department is a CALL FORCE, consisting of a Chief, Deputy Chief, Captain, three Lieutenants, and twenty-two privates, making a total of twenty-eight men.
The Department answered 137 calls in 1961. They were as fol- lows :-
Buildings
14
Automobiles
5
Brush, Woods, and Grass
31
Dump
4
Oil Burners
8
Electrical
6
Miscellaneous (accidents, etc)
42
Rescue Calls
9
Out-of-town
15
False
3
TOTAL 137
Box Alarms
57
Still Alarms 80
TOTAL 137
Incoming Telephone Calls 952
Inspections and Permits granted for the following:
Permits to Burn
720
Fireworks
4
Gasoline
4
Explosives
5
Oil Burner
28
L.P. Gas
45
Inspections of Buildings 20
TOTAL 822
77
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The equipment of the Department is in excellent condition and repair. I do not plan or recommend any replacements of apparatus for at least five years.
The Fire Alarm System is in excellent condition and repair. Our system is continuing to expand with more wire added and the follow- ing boxes installed - Box 161, 1212, 211, 311.
The Drill School is in its seventh year of operation. All personnel are required to take part. This program runs weekly from May to December, and monthly the remainder of the year. A highlight this year was a day's training at Hanscom Field, Bedford for each member who could arrange to attend. I am happy to report that in two days about 75% of the group took part in the training.
The Radio Equipment for the County Mutual Aid Network was not purchased this year because of a technicality in the allocation of a frequency to the County by the F.C.C. This has now been rectified and it is expected to be purchased in the near future.
The Skindiving Team that was formed in 1960 is now equipped and trained to perform underwater rescue. This group has been cquipped through the fine cooperation of the Middleton Police Relief Association, and the Middleton Firefighters Associaiton, as well as the individual members of the group.
I have inserted two articles in this year's Town Warrant. One of the articles calls for an appropriation to have three permanent men for the department. These men will work 56 hours per week, giving 24 hour coverage. The other article calls for the acceptance of Chapter 48, Section 42, 43, and 44. This article defines the duties of the Fire Chief and Selectmen in regard to the administration of the Fire Department, and also the term of office of the Fire Chief, and Firefighters.
The above articles were brought about by recommendations of the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association who made a survey of the town in 1961. While it does not completely cover their recommendations because the town is not financially able to comply, it is a step in the right direction.
I am happy to say that as a result of this survey the Town was regraded, due to improved protection. Effective July 18, 1961 the Town was transferred from Grade D, Class 7 to Grade C, Class 5. This resulted in a reduction of insurance premiums for most residents of the town. If a rebate on your insurance has not been received, it would be to your advantage to contact your insurance agent.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
I again recommend Fire Detection in all Town Buildings.
The Howe-Manning School is one of the more important buildings in the Town that has not as yet been protected and tied into the Fire Alarm System. For the protection of the children and instruc- tors, who daily use this building, and for the building itself, I strongly recommend that this be done.
The list of buildings with automatic fire detection is steadily growing. We now have St. Agnes Church, Congregational Church, Regional High School in the system, and the Muzichuk building will be tied in this year. These projects have all been paid for by the individuals involved. This helps to cut down serious fire potentials.
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