USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1956 > Part 16
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May 21, 1956
Michael C. Gillen, 87 Great Republic Road June 13, 1956
Civil, June 4, 1956
William F. Cross, 20 Franklin St.
Peter P. Fortuna, 21 Briarwood Trail Joseph A. Mastropietro, 17 Griffin Ter.
Civil, June 25, 1956 Civil, June 25, 1956 Civil, June 25, 1956
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HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT
January 2, 1957
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my report of activities for the Harbor Master's Department for the year 1956.
A new fire pump will be added to my equipment this coming spring. It will be a better and more efficient unit than the old one was. By mid- summer a new FM two-way radio will also be added to keep in line with the Weymouth Police Station change over to FM Radio.
Below is a list of my activities for the 1956 season:
Lost Row Boats Recovered 35
Lost Out-Board hull recovered
1
15 to 40 foot Sail & Power boats assisted
29
Capsizing of Sail and Out-Board boats assisted
5
Investigations
15
Small fires fought
1
Launchings patrolled or attended
3
Small races patrolled 20
Inter-club races patrolled
3
Police calls 15
Again my sincere thanks to all who aided me in my work.
Respectfully submitted, CECIL EVANS Harbor Master
:
REPORT OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
Weymouth, Mass. December 31, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In 1924 the streets of the Town were illuminated with 1,000 lamps at a cost of $18,000. The regular lights were of 40 candle power costing $16,20 per year and the largest of 250 candle power costing $70.00 per year. All were operating on a so-called moonlight schedule and there were no street lights when there was a moon.
In 1938 we had 1,700 lights costing $35,000 per year.
In 1956 we had 2,660 lights costing $64,300 per year. The regular lights are now of 100 candle power costing $18.00 per year and the largest lights are now 20,000 lumen costing $100.00 per year. The 250 candle power lamps cost $35.00 per year. Our monthly bill is now over $5,3000.
This data shows that the increased budget is due only to additional and larger lamps and the price per light is less than it was 32 years ago.
166
Our normal annál increase is about 100 lights of various candle power.
A new contract has been signed with the Weymouth Light and Power Company at the same rates as have been used for the last fifteen years.
The State has informed us that they now have an appropriation to take care of their part of lighting Back River Bridge which has been dark for about three years.
For 1957 we are asking for $64,272 to maintain existing service, $1,500 to light Back River Bridge and $3,300 for additional lights, a total of $69,072.
Respectfully submitted,
Chairman-Roger P. Loud, 171 Commercial Street Charles B. Turnesa, 592 Main Street Arthur W. Sargent, 34 Partridge Road Richard Reidy, 150 Lake Street
Clerk- J. Herbert Libbey, 283 North Street
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES
East Weymouth, Mass
December 21, 1956
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
1 Town Hall
East Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
We wish to submit herewith to your Board and through your Board to the townspeople our Annual Report for the year 1956.
It has been a very busy year in our department and we have especial- ly noticed the increased financial load during the year. This can be attributed to medical expense which has been 55.2% greater than in 1955. This office is cognizant of the seriousness of this situation and there is not much that can be done about it. We all realize that Weymouth has grown considerably in population in the past few years and this growth has increased the eligibility of veterans for benefits under the program. However, our expenditures for Veterans' Benefits (exclusive of medical expense) has been about the same as in 1955. Because of the increase in medical expense we have included in our budget for 1957 a request for $120,000 for Veterans' Benefits which we believe is a fair request. The budget for 1956 was $115,000 for this item.
Because all town department expenditures are covered by our Town Accountant we are not giving detailed expenditures of our office in this report. However, it must be borne in mind that our town is reimbursed fifty percent of all department expenditures for Veterans' Benefits, War Allowance, and State Burial Allowance.
We wish to take this opportunity to express our thanks to all those who assisted us in the performance of our duties this year. Also we wish to thank your Board and various Town Departments for their kind co- operation.
Respectfully submitted, F. I. LYONS Director
167
REPORT OF WIRING INSPECTOR
January 3, 1957
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit by annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956:
During the year, 1,305 wiring permits were issued.
Receipts for permit fees totaled $2,394.13
I wish to extend to the Board of Selectmen and to other Town officials my thanks for all courtesies and assistance given me during the year 1956.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH W. ROSS Wiring Inspector
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 3, 1957
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
During the year 1956 there were 118 applications to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Each application was given due consideration.
85 applications were granted, 5 were laid on the table for further consideration, 27 were denied, and 1 was withdrawn.
Total application fees received: $575.00.
Respectfully submitted,
ANDREW A. CHISHOLM Building Inspector (By order of the Board of Zoning Appeals) January 3, 1957
168
BUILDING INSPECTOR
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31. 1956.
During the year 1956 permits were issued for the following new build- ings :
200 one-family dwellings
Estimated cost
$1,732,000.00
30 cne-car garages
,,
19,660.00
13 two-car garages
11,600.00
1 model display garage
,,
700.00
1 machine shop
4,000.00
1 store moved
300.00
1 showroom and shop
3,200.00
1 summer house
„
1,000.00
1 store with apartment over
10,000.00
2 offices
11,000.00
1 supermarket
125,000.00
1 tool shed
200.00
2 work shops
2,200.00
1 boat storage and repair shop
10,000.00
1 snack bar
2,000.00
1 community building
3,000.00
1 breezeway and garage
"
500.00
1 express storage building
1,000.00
1 school and convent
600,000.00
1 skating rink
15,000.00
262 new buildings
Toatl estimated cost
$2,552,360.00
386 alteration permits
"
$547,420.00
Yearly receipts new building permit fees
1,984.00
Yearly receipts alterations permit fees 696.00
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW CHISHOLM Building Inspector
169
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„
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER Weymouth, Massachusetts
December 31, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith respectfuly submit to the Board the First Annual Report of the Department of Engineering for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The first three months of the year were mainly devoted to obtaining personnel, purchasing initial equipment, and establishing the Department of Engineering in the Town Hall Building. Following is a list of initial expenses incurred :
1. Payment to Russell H. Whiting including following:
A. Approximately 16,000 plans pertaining to lands in Weymouth resulting from private work.
B. 125 Field Books.
C. Calculation Books.
D. 250 Deed Books.
E. 6' x 4' x 2' Safe.
F. Tables.
G. Miscellanous Field Equipment and Instruments $17,000.00
2. Assessors Work By Russell H. Whiting (January, February, and March) 3,173.47
3. Office Furniture and Equipment 3,799.47
4. Field Equipment 1,199.71
5. Printing Machine and installation 2,451.49
6. Automobile 2,189.84
$29,813.98
Work Accomplished
1. Board of Selectmen
A. 24 Drainage Problems in various locations throughout the Town of Weymouth investigated for analysis and report.
B. Pine and Oak Street Retaining Wall and Widening; field sur- vey, design, and plan prepared for an Article in the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting.
C. Kensington Road Drainage: field survey, design, and plans prepared for an Article in the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting.
D. Westminster Road Widening: field survey, design, and plans prepared for an Article in the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting.
E. Land Taking at Essex and Broad Streets: field survey, design, and plans prepared for an Article in the Warrant of the An- nual Town Meeting.
F. Great Hill Drive Retaining Wall and Drainage: field survey, design, and plans prepared for an Article in the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting.
=170
G. Construction.
1. Rindge Street Drain Contract No. 1. Appropriation $50,000.00 Field survey, plans and specifications
prepared by Dept. of Engineering. Bids were let June 4, 1956.
Two low and only bidders.
1. DiMascio Bros. $52,525.00
2. Roslindale Contracting Co .. 57,510.00
Engineer's Estimate 46,165.00
DiMascio Bros. were awarded the Bid. By items the initial work cost $47,750.41.
The Contract was extended to include extra work costing $2,247.00 making a total cost of $49,997.41.
The Department of Engineering supplied all Engineering and Inspection.
2. Libby Field Drainage Contract No. 2. Appropriation $135,000.00
Field survey, plans and specifications pre- pared by Dept. of Engineering. Bids were
let December 10,1956.
Three low bidders of 14:
1. DiMasco Bros. $89,900.00
2. Richard White 103,125.00
3. C. D. Martino & Sons 117,021.25
Engineer's Estimate 100,080.00
The bid war awarded to DiMascio Bros. and the work will be accomplished in the Winter and Spring of 1957. En- gineering and Inspection will be done by the Department of Engineering.
H. Sidewalls - Line, grade, and layout for sidewalks was accomp- lished in 37 locations throughout the Town of Weymouth.
I. Individual Street lines - 56 Individual street lines were sur- veyed throughout the Town of Weymouth.
J. Inspection and technical planning of 30 streets proposed for acceptance in 1957.
2. Street Department
A. 15 Drainage Easements staked out - descriptions written.
B. 10 Streets staked out line and grade for construction.
C. 22 Stone Bounds set.
D. 8 Drainage systems staked, line and grade.
E. North Weymouth Parking Area staked for area and grade Drains staked line and grade.
3. Water Department
A. Land taking for purpose of installing Water Tower, South Wey- mouth. Survey and layout - description written.
B. 8 Water main easements - plans and descriptions.
C. 8 Streets staked line and grade for installation of water mains.
D: 2 Hydrant locations established.
E. 1 Stone Bound replaced.
171
4. Town Counsel
A. 36 Descriptions of lands sold by the Town of Weymouth.
B. 2 Land taking descriptions.
C. 1 Land Gift description.
5. School Department
A. Survey and stakeout of Jackson Elementary School Site.
B. Survey and design of Driveway and Walk at Abigail Adams School.
C. Drainage survey, plans and layout for Shaw School.
D. Layout of Baseball Diamond - Libby Field.
E. Green Street School Site.
1. General Topography.
2. Survey and design for site plan.
3. Engineering of site excavation.
4. Plans.
F. Sewer Easements (1).
6. Police Department
A. Field survey and detail location for 3 Intersections under Pub - lic Safety Study.
7. Park Department
A. Plans and specifications for Bleacher repair Weston Park.
8. Building Inspector
A. Property Surveys (2) for condemnation action.
B. Layout of Property line checking Dog Pound location.
9. Assessors Department
A. Approximately 1,800 Transfer Cards typed fram Photostats re- ceived from Registry.
B. Above transfers plotted on Town Maps.
C. Field survey and location of 186 houses and 83 garages and/or breezeways.
D. New structures located on Town Maps.
10. Passageway to Ralph Talbot School Committee.
A. Field survey, plans and specifications for Passageway from Great Republic Avenue and Constitution Avenue to the Ralph Talbot School.
11. Planning Board
A. Revised Planning Rules and Regulations.
B. Layout of new rezoning study contemplated along proposed Expressway.
C. Technical planning and inspection of Subdivisions for Plan- ning Board ex-officio.
12. Atlases
A. 1956 Atlas was publish this year. Included in the Atlas is the latest revised zoning map, general map, and a sewer map show- ing sewers installed prior to 1956 and the contemplated work 1956.
172
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the wholehearted co-operation and assistance given this department by the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Personnel Board, Custodians of the Town Hall and all the town departments.
Sincerest thanks are also extended to Mr. Russell H. Whiting, ny predecessor, and Mr. J. Herbert Libbey who has continued on the Engineer- ing Staff as a Consultant, giving the department the benefit of his 49 years experience in the Town of Weymouth.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR J. BILODEAU Town Engineer
REPORT OF SOUTH SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
December 11, 1956
To the Citizens of Weymouth:
Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town of Weymouth for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The Town of Weymouth appropriated $8,000 for mosquito control in 1956. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town of Weymouth by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative effort em- bracing the City of Quincy and Towns of Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth.
Type of Control Program
The basic program of control continued to be based on drainage in the off-season and larvaciding of all areas found to be breeding during the mosquito season. This program was supplemented by application of D.D.T. dust to selected areas during the period when the swamps were frozen. The dust upon the melting of the ice and snow falls to the bot- tom of the pools and swamps and is in a position to be effective against the mosquito larrvae. The use of a fog generator to combat flying mos- quitoes supplemented the main program.
Encephalitis
In Jate August the public became aware of the disease Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis.
This disease is brought on by a virus and is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is a disease of birds which, under certain circumstances, spills over to man and horses.
· The disease was first recognized in man in Massachusetts in 1938. It has since been recognized southward along the Atlantic seaboard and in the Gulf States.
The severe outbreak in humans and horses during the summer of 1938 in Massachusetts was followed by a lull uuntil 1953 and 1954 when some horses were affected. Not until 1955, when four cases were recognized,
173
did the disease in man reappear in this state. This past summer (based on virus recovery, serological evidence, and clinical pictures) the disease was recognized in twelve humans and definite diagnosis is pending in one case. In addition, 41 horses and 17 pheasant farms were infected. A survey of wild birds revealed virus in six birds.
Immediately upon the appearance of the disease in a horse in the area, the Project began extensive fogging and larvaciding operations, starting in the area of the horse case. This work continued around the clock. Shortly after this, the Massachusetts Department of Health warned that danger existed and that a program of aid from the Commonwealth was being set up.
Since this Project was the only existing agency in the position to supervise the needed work, insecticide and airplane service was provided to the Project for use in the ten town area. Spray material was provided for air spray, ground application by Project equipment, and ground work by any equipment made available by the towns through the local Boards of Health and the Town Departments posessing such equipment.
The overtime labor for the Project's part in this emergency work was paid for from the regular appropriations. This work was in excess of that planned, based on money available to the Project. This extra night, week-end, and holiday work severely strained the basic budget of the Project, and as a result, less ditching work than planned will be pos- sible.
The results of such a program against such a disease are hard to de- termine since it is impossible to tell how many infected mosquitoes were killed and thus prevented from passing the disease to humans.
With present knowledge of the disease, it is equally impossible to pre- dict the future picture of the disease in this area. Our only present at- tack is to reduce the mosquito population to as low a level as possible during the critical period. The following areas of action are steps in the right direction: Encouraging towns bordering the Project to attack the mosquito problem since area wide control is more effective than scattered work, urging all residents to help out on their own property, and stepping up the Project's ability to combat influxes of mosquitoes on the wing.
Regarding this last point, the Commission has taken steps to acquire another fog machine since the one owned by the Project, although it has been used at every opportunity, is often needed in two places at the same time and was woefully inadequate during the past emergency.
Under the present financial conditions, the Project, as well as towns not in organized districts, will always have to turn to the Commonwealth for emergency funds in the event of encephalitis outbreaks. The alterna- tive, which is an approach that makes a lot of sense, is more wide spread mosquito control in southeastern Massachusetts on a sound financial basis.
We feel that the extra hours and monies spent in this emergency were well and properly expended and surely gave us greatly added protection. The fact that there was in existence in the area hardest hit by the disease an organization set up to do such work was fortunate. Because of this, there was no delay in planning air spray work and in getting ground work started. The immediate and wholehearted efforts of the Health, Tree, and Public Works Departments of the various towns added con- siderably to the results. For this work, the Project, and I am sure, the Citizens, are extremely grateful.
174
Employee Benefits
Until recently the employees of this and the other four mosquito con- trol projects in the state had no employee benefits except workman's compensation for on the job injury.
This situation has left the projects at a disadvantage in competing for competent workers with industry and local contractors.
To help remedy this situation the legislature has made the Project workers eligible for a county retirement system. Since the majority of the towns are in Plymouth County, that system has been chosen by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.
Such a system is supported by contributions from the workers and a levy on the employer. An amount to compensate for the latter has been included in this year's budget.
Aerial Spraying
The spring spraying of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done in the latter part of April. Spot spraying was done in various areas throughout the summer when large open areas were found to be breeding mosquitoes.
2,724 acres were sprayed in the Town of Weymouth. In August and early September, during the encephalitis emergency 1,800 acres were sprayed by air.
1
Ground Spraying
The ground crews circulated on a schedule throughout their sections of the Project. They varied from this circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by the superintendent or the inspector. They then returned to their rounds.
During the encephalitis emergency, crews worked overtime and week- ends to keep up with requests for service.
Inspections
Throughout the breeding season the superintendent checks the known breeding areas to know where to direct air and ground spraying or drain- age work. In the heavy breeding season (June-September) an Inspector helps with this work.
In past years, some attention has been paid to yard by yard inspec- tions for house mosquito breeding. This year this work was expanded and will have to be expanded in the future, since newspaper and radio items concerning this important phase of the work have not yet reached all persons.
One inspection of sixty-four (64) houses in an isolated section showed sixty-seven (67) containers capable of breeding mosquitoes. Of these, forty-six (46) were producing mosquitoes at the time. Similar results were obtained in other sections checked.
Such a situation assures a neighborhood of mosquitoes as long as the containers are around and full of water in spite of work done by the Pro- ject in surrounding swamps.
Catchbasin Spraying
Two catchbasin units were operated the past season. A third, ordered
175
in May, was delivered too late to be of use this season, but will be used next year.
These units are compressed air sprayers mounted on three-wheeled motorcycles.
In addition to the above units, ground crews sprayed basins with hy- draulic sprayers from trucks to fill in for the unit not delivered in time.
Drainage
The drainage program proceeded in both salt and fresh water breed- ing places.
The past year was the first in which the salt marsh ditching machine was used extensively. It was delivered in late summer last year and used only in the fall.
The machine has increased the pace of our work on the marshes and seems to offer greater help when it is modified to fit the marshes in this particular area.
It will be advisable, when budget figures allow, to have a back-hoe to complement the work of the marsh ditcher and allow certain fresh water work to be done. At present, there are no contractors with ma- chines capable of going onto salt marsh without the use of mats, which proceedure is both costly and beset with chances of miring the machine. It is. however, possible to rig a back-hoe on a machine similar to ouì marsh ditcher and be free to move anywhere, within reason, on our marshes.
In the past year in the Town of Weymouth 1,650 feet of ditches have been cleaned, 10,888 feet reclaimed and 1,120 feet of new ditches have been dug. This figure includes both fresh and salt water drainage.
In addition, 735 feet of brushing has been done to facilitate entrance to and passage along streams for the purpose of cleaning and treating streams and swamps.
Adult Mosquito Control
Adult mosquito control is the killing of the flying stage of the mos- quito after they have emerged, as opposed to the larval stage which ex- ists in the water.
This year, as in the past, the Project has operated a Todd Insecticida! Fog Applicator, commonly called a Tifa. This machine emits a fog, con- sisting of very fine droplets of insecticide, which drifts with the air cur- rents over the area, wiping out adult mosquitoes.
The addition of Norwell to the Project, the fact that previous to that the machine was very often needed in more than one place certain nights. and since the machine was working at all possible hours during the en- cephalitis emergency and always had a backlog of work, influenced the Commission to initiate proceedings to get another machine and to have it on hand for the start of next season.
During the encephalitis emergency the Town of Weymouth set up an emergency fund of $7,500 to be spent by the Tree Department for street by street spraying to supplement the Project's work in the town. This work done over a period of approximately two weeks at the peak of the public awareness of the problem was of great value.
176
The previously mentioned air spray during the encephalitis emergency was in the nature of an adult program.
Equipment on hand
1 Ford F-350 truck
3 Ford F-250 trucks
1 Ford F-100 truck
1 International 1 ton truck, four-wheel drive
1 Chevrolet Handyman
1 Oliver CC-6-68 tractor with scavel plow
1 Trailer for transporting tractor
1 Cushman Truckster (catchbasin unit)
2 Harley Davidson Servi-cars (catchbasin units)
3 50 gal. Bean hydraulic sprayers
1 Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicator
1 Hoffco power brushing tool
1 Corman-Rupp centrifugal pump
Pack sprayers and dusters
Various hand ditching tools
Equipment to be added
1 Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicator Miscellaneous hand tools
Plans for Winter
Throughout the months between the past and coming mosquito breed- ing seasons much attention will be given to ditching. Work on the salt marsh will be done in the fall and early spring and the colder winter months will be spent in the more protected fresh water areas.
When snow and ice conditions are right, prehatch dusting, as was done the last three years, will be done. The success of the past work along these lines makes it feasible to expand this program to as much as help and weather permit.
In addition to the ground dusting noted above, it is planned to make a small scale experimental prehatch application of D.D.T. dust from the air.
Plans for Next Year
All phases of the work carried out in the past will continue. Catch basin spraying will be strengthened by the addition of the third unit. Expansion of the fogging operations will be possible, where needed, with the second fogging machine mentioned previously.
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