USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1963 > Part 21
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CONCLUSION
In concluding, the records reveal that 58 families have moved our during the past year; in most cases into homes which they have purchased. The de- mand for occupancy of our apartments continue at the same level as of pre- vious years; although, as before mentioned, we are now providing occupancy for town residents who entered the service after January 31, 1955.
Considerable interest is currently being displayed in making available apartments for persons over 65 years of age with income under $3, 000. 00 or $2, 500. 00 as the case may be. The Authority has received permission to erect 80 such apartments and hopes to be in construction of these apart- ments by early summer.
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REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Seated Left to Right: Rev. Father John F. Welsh, Treasurer, Rev. Doctor William F. Knox, Chairman
Standing Left to Right: Insert:
B. Robert Levin, Legal Counsel, John M. Gallagher, Chester L. Boyle Robert S. Carter
ANNUAL REPORT -- 1963
WEYMOUTH REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
During the past year the Weymouth Redevelopment Authority has initiated studies to determine the site of Weymouth's first urban renewal project. After the special Town Meeting appropriated the necessary funds, the Authority engaged Candeub, Fleissig and Associates of Boston as its con- sultants. Attorney B. Robert Levin of Weymouth was retained as legal counsel by the Authority. With the assistance of this firm, the Authority reviewed the seven general areas of blight in Weymouth which had been identified in the General Plan progress reports prepared by the Weymouth Planning Board.
After a number of meetings, it was determined that three of the seven areas should be considered for priority action. Subsequently, a full day's meeting with representatives of the Federal Urban Renewal Administration and the State Housing Board was held. Four representatives of the New York office of the Urban Renewal Administration and two representatives of the State Housing Board from Boston met with the Authority in December and toured the general areas under consideration. Two members of the Weymouth Industrial Development Commission and the Town Engineer were also present. The Federal representatives made a number of recommen- dations for two of the areas and agreed that a third area would require ad- ditional study by Washington to determine its eligibility for Federal financial assistance.
The Redevelopment Authority has not, as yet, selected any specific urban renewal project. The many economic, community and human needs involved are being weighed. Further consultation with the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen will be necessary before a decision is made. Any application to the Federal Government for financial assistance to undertake an urban renewal project must be approved by the Board of Selectmen.
On additional activity of the Redevelopment Authority during 1963 was the preparation of a proposed Workable Program for submission to the Housing and Home Finance Agency. A Workable Program is a prerequisite for any Federal urban renewal grants and must be approved by the Board of Selectmen.
IMPROVEMENT AREAS
Table I lists nine areas, which, according to the Weymouth General Plan, require some form of urban renewal action. For the purposes of this study, the East Weymouth and South Weymouth areas have been divided into two sections each. In this table, major factors influencing the establishment of priorities for renewal action are checked as appropriate.
Based on the surveys of the Authority and its consultant, highest priority has been assigned to three areas - East Weymouth Center; Pine Grove, and the Southeast Expressway Industrial Area. In East Weymouth Center, there is an opportunity to improve an older shopping area and a major entrance to
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the town through renewal action. In Pine Grove, a very real human need for improved housing must be met. In the Southeast Expressway Industrial Area, a site to attract industry to Weymouth can be made available.
The following sections describe each of the nine areas which have been studied by the Redevelopment Authority.
EAST WEYMOUTH CENTER
Size and Location - This 54-acre area encompasses the commercial center and several adjoining areas.
Existing Conditions - The East Weymouth commercial center is confronted with the following problems: traffic congestion, deteriorating and dilapidated structures, and inadequate parking. This area does not adequately serve its potential trade area and requires improvement if it is to compete with the newer shopping areas in and surrounding Weymouth. These are pockets of extremely poor and dangerous housing conditions which should be eliminated.
Proposed Reuse - This area could be improved as a shopping area and as an important element of the town's tax base through improved traffic cir- culation, enlarged parking facilities and the provision of well-defined sites for new commercial activities and supporting uses such as Federally-aided elderly housing and additions to the Pingree School Site.
PINE GROVE
Size and Location - This is bounded generally by the Naval Air Station and the Town of Hingham. It encompasses approximately 137 acres.
Existing Conditions - The area is characterized by obsolete platting paper streets (R. O. W. 's which are platted but do not exist on the land) and a sig- nificant amount of vacant land. There are no street lights, water or hydrants in this area. Poor drainage in this and adjoining areas have heightened the water problem. Many of the approximately 65 homes are substandard. There is a definite need to improve the housing conditions of the residents of this area.
Proposed Reuse - A representative of FHA toured this area with a repre- sentative of our office. It was the opinion of the FHA representative that (1) the area would qualify for FHA insurance for new construction, and (2) some of the existing homes might be suitable for rehabilitation, under a program of clearance and rehabilitation.
This area is proposed for residential reuse with supporting neighborhood shopping, recreational and educational facilities.
SOUTHEAST EXPRESSWAY INDUSTRIAL AREA
Size and Location - This area is immediately east of the Expressway between Middle and Pleasant Streets. It covers approximately 163 acres.
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Existing Conditions - This area is identified as a "Blighted Open Space" which is characterized by improper size and shape of lots, poorly designed and inadequate streets, a lack of utilities, complexities of ownership, lack of adequate and convenient access, and unusual topography. There are approxi- 30 structures, most of which are in standard condition.
Proposed Reuse - A planned industrial park covering 150 acres is proposed for this area. In order to carry out such a plan, it would be necessary to remove approximately six residential structures. Residential properties along Pleasant and Middle Streets could be retained and be adequately buf- fered from any new industrial development.
SOUTH WEYMOUTH CENTER
Size and Location - The south Weymouth Commercial Center and the adjoining residential areas comprise approximately 65 acres of land.
Existing Conditions - The commercial area is confronted with excessive traffic congestion. This is augmented by the lack of off-street parking. facilities, especially on the north side of Pleasant Street. There are a few obsolete commercial structures along Pleasant Street. The residential area contains, for the most part, sound and well-maintained homes.
Proposed Improvement - The shopping area could be improved with off- street parking facilities and a better traffic circulation system.
SOUTH WEYMOUTH -MOSQUITO PLAINS
Site and Location - This area is located to the north of Ralph Talbot Street and encompasses approximately 100 acres of land.
Existing Conditions - This area is built up with single-family homes which generally are in sound condition. There are a few homes that contain minor deficiencies.
Proposed Improvement - This area could be improved through code en- forcement.
EAST WEYMOUTH
Size and Location - This is an extremely large area covering approximately 890 acres of land.
Existing Conditions - The entire area is characterized by inadequate traffic circulation, narrow streets, high lot coverage, and inadequate building set- backs. There are some spots of deteriorating housing conditions around Whitman's Pound and adjacent to Lake Street. Some of the homes around Whitman's Pond have been converted from summer to winter homes but lack the adequate facilities for year-round living. There are a few factories that are an adverse influence due to their physical appearance, noise, odor, or inadequate parking facilities.
Proposed Improvement - There are several small areas that require renewal action in the form of code enforcement, rehabilitation and some redevelopment.
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TABLE I IMPROVEMENT AREA PRIORITY DETERMINANTS Weymouth, Massachusetts
Improvement
Area
Limited Expenditures of Town Funds Required
Major Tax Base Improve- ment
Major Human Need for Improved Housing Con- ditions
Major Public Ex- penditures Pro- posed in M. P.
Federal
Type of Improve-
ment Required
North Weymouth
X
X
X
Rehabilitation and some clearance Rehabilitation and some clearance Clearance and some
Weymouth Landing Pine Grove
X
X
X
X
Rehabilitation
Fort Point &
Rehabilitation or
Upper Neck
X
X
Code Enforcement
East Weymouth Center
X Rehabilitation
East Weymouth
X Rehabilitation and some Clearance
South Weymouth Center
X
X
X
X
Private Rehabilitation Conservation
South Weymouth (Mosquito Plains) Southeast Express- way - Open
X
- -
Open land project
X
X
Clearance and some
X
X
Grants Available
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FORT POINT AND UPPER NECK
Size and Location - This area is surrounded by water and comprises approxi- mately 93 acres of land.
Existing Conditions - This is primarily a residential area that contains well- maintained homes for the most part. Many of the houses have small lots and are on narrow streets. There are, however, some isolated bad housing con- ditions on the north side of the area. These homes have no setbacks or side- yards at all. On the eastern tip of the peninsula, there is a fertilizer company that adversely influences the surrounding homes. This is evidenced by the fact that approximately 10 homes at the tip of the peninsula are seriously dilapidated.
Proposed Improvement - This area with its small isolated spots of blight could be improved through strong code enforcement action.
NORTH WEYMOUTH
Size and Location - This 390 acre area encompasses the commercial district along Bridge Street and adjoining residential areas.
Existing Conditions - Bridge Street contains a mixture of commercial resi- dential and public activities. There is a high volume of traffic and frequent congestion resulting from inadequate off-street parking facilities. Major areas of blight are concentrated along the waterfront where there has been a high incidence of inadequate conversion from summer year-round occupancy. These same areas often suffer from a very poor street system and many homes have very limited yard areas.
Proposed Improvement - The strip commercial area along Bridge Street requires consolidation before it is choked by the through traffic moving to and from Quincy. Along the waterfront, redevelopment and rehabilitation action will be necessary to replace many residential structures which are of inadequate original construction. The accessibility of this area to the Fore River Shipyard and to proposed beach and marina improvements indicate a good opportunity for remedial action.
WEYMOUTH LANDING
Size and Location - This 170 acre area encompasses part of the commercial center of Weymouth Landing and the adjoining residential areas situated in the Town of Weymouth.
Existing Conditions - The commercial area is shared by Weymouth and Braintree renewal action to improve traffic circulation, rectify drainage problems, create improved parking, and eliminate poor conditions of housing is required.
Proposed Improvement - The elimination of the problems in this area would not be lasting if not accompanied by a similar action on the part of the Town of Braintree. A program to reach a joint solution to the problems in this center should be initiated.
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SUMMARY
The Weymouth Redevelopment Authority firmly believes that urban renewal action is essential for the future growth and regrowth of Weymouth. An effective renewal program will improve the Town's tax base and will elim- inate a number of human problems caused by pockets of substandard housing. The Authority will agree on a specific project in 1964. With the concurrance of the Board of Selectmen, the Authority plans to submit an application to the Federal Government for an advance of funds to undertake detailed survey and planning activities of the project area.
Under the present Federal and State formulas, Weymouth is eligible to re- ceive grants to pay up to 7/8 of the net cost of undertaking a renewal project. The Town's 1/8 share can be provided by cash payments or through the con- struction of streets, utilities and other public facilities which may benefit the project area.
Respectfully submitted,
WEYMOUTH REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REV. WILLIAM F. KNOX, Chairman REV. JOHN F. WELSH, Treasurer CHESTER L. BOYLE ROBERT S. CARTER JOHN M. GALLAGHER
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O
CHEF DO O'KANE
CHIEF OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT,' JOSEPH B. O'KANE
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 20, 1964
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall East Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the following as my tenth annual report of the activities of the Weymouth Police Department for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1963.
During the past year the Weymouth Police Department experienced the full impact of the problems associated with population increase. In addition to the problems created by Weymouth's own growth, that of its neighbors has presented unique challenges to the Weymouth Police De- partment.
While crime trends are continuing to rise along with population growth in most areas, such is not the case in Weymouth. This success gained by firm and vigorous administration of police operations had demonstrated that no community has to accept exceptional increases in crime as the natural result of population growth. The Weymouth Police Department is constantly seeking new methods to control local crime problems to an even greater degree.
The number of more serious offenses reported to the Weymouth Police decreased from 308 reported in 1962 to 247 reported in 1963. The most significant decreases occurred in the crimes generally considered most controllable by efficient police operations, namely; robbery, burglary and auto theft.
All too frequently we read of the offenses committed by juvenile gangs. Ranging from minor offenses to crimes of serious nature, these accounts are of great concern to most citizens. Fortunately, here in Wey- mouth juvenile gang activity is not a significant problem. Juvenile crime has not increased to any degree as evidenced by 104 juvenile complaints issued in 1963 compared with 98 in 1962 and 109 in 1961. A major factor in the low record which Weymouth enjoys from juvenile crime has been the firm action taken by the Board of Selectmen, acting as the Licensing Au- thority, in cases presented to it by the Police Department involving minors procuring intoxicating beverages in any of the sixty-three licensed premises in the Town. The severe penalties inflicted in such cases have proved to be a strong deterrent to teen-age drinking in Weymouth.
The Traffic Bureau established within the Uniformed Division of the Police Department has completed its first full year of operation. This bureau has traffic law enforcement as its primary objective but also co- ordinates and controls all reports, records, complaints, investigations, surveys etc., pertaining to traffic and the control and supervision of all taxicabs licensed in Weymouth. Greater and more direct supervision of all
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officers assigned to traffic duty on all shifts has been exercised by the su- perior officers of the bureau. The selective enforcement technique is being developed particularly with regard to providing adequate field di- rection in the violation factor and regular performance checks are being made to evaluate this selective quality. All files and record systems have been established in accordance with the recognized National Safety Coun- cil procedures for uniform traffic analysis and reporting. Of particular concern to this bureau is the control of traffic at each of the thirty-six school crossings which are policed three times each school day, school bus patrol and supervision and the conducting of safety education classes in the various schools throughout the Town by the Safety Officer. The number of man hours spent on traffic control and enforcement has been substantially increased and greater traffic law enforcement and further recommendations for traffic signs and markings and parking controls are programmed for the coming year. The control of parking in the Wessa- gusset Beach Parking Area was an added duty this year. 2, 537 parking permits at a fee of one dollar were issued for this facility.
In a recent survey it was found that the Police Department receives a telephone call on the average of one every three minutes from 8:00 A. M. to 10:00 P.M. daily. From these calls and police officer reports the Uniformed Division made 4, 067 investigations and answered 187 wagon calls and 1, 137 ambulance calls. Also 107 defects in the streets and 22 fires were reported and 53 missing persons were located. I wish to point out that this was the first complete year of operation of three patrol cars in addition to the Sergeant's cars on the three daily shifts. Such operation permits one car to patrol the northern section of the Town, one the cen- tral section and the third car the southern section. This deployment of patrol cars provides faster service and more intensive protection through- out the Town. The Uniformed Division also reported 662 buildings found open and secured on regular patrol, 1, 672 summonses and warrants served for out of town departments, 5 animals killed and 5, 186 closed homes and other buildings inspected during the year.
Three men were added to the Detective Bureau in 1963 so that this bureau now functions seven days and seven nights per week. This bureau made 2, 019 investigations making a total of 6, 086 investigations made by the Police Department and through which $145, 946. 77 was recovered in lost or stolen property. All court persecutions are handled by the Detec- tive Bureau. In the past year, 104 juveniles and 688 adults were arraigned in the District Court and 25 felony cases and 20 misdemeanor cases were disposed of and 17 felony cases and 30 misdemeanor cases are pending in the Superior Court. Total fines imposed in the District Court amounted to $12, 232. 50. The following were the causes and number of arrests made in 1963: crimes against the person - 36, crimes against property - 107, crimes against public order - 740, total arrests 883.
The photography laboratory was exceptionally busy during the past year due to the nature and type of the complaints and crimes investigated. The use of color is now being employed in many cases which warrant color for more effective results. These facilities were extended to other Town De- partments during the year.
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The following officers with long service records retired from the Police Department during 1963: Sergeant A. Robert Panora, Detective George J. Butler, Patrolman Paul B. Humphrey and Patrolman T. Lester Coffey. Patrolman George B. Shanahan resigned and was appointed Attendance Of- ficer in the School Department.
I wish to express my appreciation to the members of the Weymouth Police Department for their loyalty, dedication to duty and efficiency in carrying out their assignments.
My appreciation is also extended to Town Counsel Robert H. Gaughen for the many and varied legal services which he has rendered to the Police Department and to Director of Public Works Arthur J. Bilodeau for his assistance in traffic signs and markings and to all Town Officials for many courtesies.
I particularly wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to each and every member of the Board of Selectmen for their confidence, whole-hearted cooperation and constant support extended to me and to the members of the Police Department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH B. O'KANE Chief of Police
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COMMITTEE ON CIVIL DEFENSE
Seated Left to Right : Chief Joseph B. O'Kane, Police Department, Clarence W. Taylor, Assoc. Director Herbert W. Causer, Director, Elton B. Given, Jr., Assoc. Director, Ralph J. Amabile, Jr. Standing Left to Right: Chief Walter R. Murray, Fire Department, Walter B. Heffernan, Ivan A. Nelson, Harold G. Olson, Irving A. Waitz, Secretary
REPORT OF DIRECTION OF CIVIL DEFENSE
January 2, 1964
Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Committee on Civil Defense is pleased to submit their report Con- cerning Civil Defense activities for the year 1963.
During 1963, Weymouth Civil Defense units have continued to operate at the town level in accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth and the Federal Government. Fortunately there were no emergencies, local or otherwise. Our active units, (Communications, Auxilliary Police and Rescue), have remained intact and have continued regular drills and meet- ings as in previous years.
The Civil Defense Council, which was formed during 1962, has been helpful in an advisory capacity. These members are in addition to the Civil Defense Committee and include Messrs. Bilodeau, Lagrotteria, Nelson, O'Kane, Murray, Shaw, Heffernan, Whipple, Olson and a member of the Board of Selectmen.
As a result of the building survey conducted by the Federal Government, we have six existing structures which are acceptable as Public Shelters for protection against fall out. These areas are located at the Central Junior High, Eldon Johnson, Homestead, Humphrey and Sacred Heart Schools and the Telephone Building on Middle Street. All areas are equipped with a two week supply of emergencies and first aid supplies. These areas will by no means fill the requirements of the entire population of Weymouth.
They will , however, accommodate many of the occupants of homes that are constructed on slab foundations. It will be necessary, therefore, for the present, that every effort be made to provide a home shelter in the base- ment.
The Weymouth operational plan, as required by the Commonwealth under the Massachusetts Civil Defense Act, Chapter 639, Acts of 1950, has been completed, and will be made available to all those who will be called upon for services at the time of impending or actual enemy attack.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to all those who have given their time in an effort to make Civil Defense a successful contribution to the town.
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT W. CAUSER, Director ELTON B. GIVEN, Jr. Assoc. Director CLARENCE W. TAYLOR, Assoc. Director IRVING A. WAITZ, Secretary
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Walter R. Murray
4.7
CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 4, 1964
The Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1963.
The department responded to fourteen hundred forty five calls. One hundred one calls were for fires involving buildings. The department was exceptionally busy during the summer months due to the drought conditions which prevailed, thus accounting for the great increase in calls over the preceding year. A listing of all calls is included herewith.
The personnel of the department now numbers ninety eight men, con- sisting of one Chief, four Deputy Chiefs, five Captains, eleven Lieutenants, seventy four Firefighters, one Superintendent of Fire Alarm, one Signal Maintainer and one Master Mechanic. There was one firefighter added during the year and there were two resignations.
The personnel of the department made fourteen hundred, seventy one inspections during the year covering Nursing Homes, Convalescent Homes, Hospitals, Schools, Mercantile Buildings, Manufacturing Buildings, Oil Burner Installations, Flammable Fluids Storage, Blasting and others.
The training program of the department is now carried on throughout the year under direction of the Drill Master.
A survey of the equipment, personnel and operating procedures of the department was completed this year by the New England Rating Association. The results of this survey should establish new goals and incentives to plan and work toward for the greater safety of the community.
Residential
82
Non-Residential Assembly
1
Mercantile
6
Manufacturing
2
Storage
1
Public Utilities
1
Barns, Garages, other Buildings
8
Grass or Brush
630
Vehicles, Boats
111
False Alarms 80
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