USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1952 > Part 2
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217
Money collected at office for fines imposed by the Court
$90.00
Money collected at office on non-support cases
$2,899.50
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141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Money collected for restitution
$157.79
Money collected for revolver permits issued
$106.50
Money collected on ambulance cases
$143.00
Money collected for bicycle registrations
$69.20
Money collected for taxi licenses issued $95.00
Money collected for taxi badges issued
$95.00
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ambulance
On February 6, 1941, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley W. Heath presented a new Dodge ambulance to the Police Department in memory of Mr. Heath's father, Dr. Joseph W. Heath. This was the second ambulance that the Heaths have presented to the Police Department over a period of years.
Since the presentation of this ambulance to the town, it has carried 4,512 patients to and from hospitals and, added to this total, are the numer- ous trips the ambulance has made to scenes of accidents and fires. This ambulance must be replaced now as it rides hard and it has many defects.
I am recommending the purchase of a new 1953 Cadillac ambulance at a cost of $7,400.00, delivered. This ambulance is noted for its easy-riding qualities - a feature which is needed by the sick when being taken to and from the hospitals.
AUXILIARY POLICE
In connection with the Civil Defense set-up, a Police Auxiliary Force, made up of citizens of this town, was organized in 1951. Sergt. John M. Wenzel was designated by the Chief of Police as the instructor of this organization.
On December 31st, 1951, this Police Auxiliary Organization had a membership of fifty-seven men, and, on December 31st, 1952, there was a force of eighty men trained in Police work and ready and willing to assist the regular officers of the department in any and all emergencies. All of these officers have had revolver practice on the range under the leadership of Instructors Maurice Lenfest and Laurence Tucker, who are two men known as experts in the use of firearms. There are, at the pres- ent time, two teams, made up of Auxiliary Police, entered in the New England Police Revolver League in competition with Auxiliary Police from other departments. They have done very well and are well up in the League standing.
Forty-four members of this organization have taken and have com- pleted the Standard Red Cross First-Aid Course. Eight members have completed the Advance First-Aid Course and are now taking the Instruc- tor's Course. When they have completed this course and receive their cer- tificates, they will conduct the Standard Course for the new members of the Auxiliary Police Department. ...
During the past year, the Auxiliary Officers have been used in direct- ing traffic and assisting the regular officers in enforcing law and order on May 30th, the night of July 3rd, during the parade and fireworks on July 4th, October 31st (Halloween night); for assisting in the search of the woods for a girl reported as missing in a neighboring town; and, also, for
20
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
doing extra patrol duties during the scare and uneasiness caused by the two murders in Reading, a short while back. These officers have also done duty at the Quannapowitt Bathing Beach when it was re-opened during the summer.
A record has been kept showing that these Auxiliary Officers have actually done 1,645 hours of police work during 1952 at no cost to the town. If it had been necessary to hire reserve officers to do this amount of work, it would have cost the town $1,908.20.
I respectfully recommend that a sum of money be voted and set aside in the Civil Defense budget to buy some police uniforms of various sizes that can be used by many of these Auxiliary Officers when they are called upon to do Police work. These men receive nothing for their work and, that being so, they should not be expected to buy their own uniforms.
This organization respectfully regrets the untimely death of Mr. Richard Connors, its First-Aid Instructor, who spent many hours each week teaching First-Aid to all the officers. He was very exacting in all his teaching and wanted everyone to know just what to do in an emer- gency.
To all members of this Police Auxiliary Department, who have shown a keen interest in their work and classes at all times, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their efforts and time, and I trust that this organization will continue to function, as such, for years to come.
I am also thankful to Sergeant Wenzel for the many extra hours of overtime work he has devoted to organizing this force and training it to the high level it has reached today.
My sincere thanks are also extended to Mr. Lenfest and Mr. Tucker for the firearm instruction they have given to the officers, and also to Mr. James Hurton, Director of Civil Defense, for his co-operation during the past year.
OFFICERS ADDED TO THE PERSONNEL OF DEPARTMENT
On January 1st, 1952, Reserve Officer Richard A. Curran started to work as a permanent officer. He was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Patrolman George F. Sheridan on December 1, 1951.
On June 8th, 1952, Reserve Officer Francis J. Lynch started to work as a permanent patrolman. This appointment was authorized at the an- nual town meeting, and he was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the permanent injury to Patrolman John L. Clark.
On July 6th, 1952, Reserve Officers Robert E. Johnson, Jr., Murray C. Airhart, William R. Connors and Kenneth R. Collins were made per- manent patrolmen of the department - these officers having been ap- pointed to put the five-working-day-a-week schedule into effect as author- ized by the March town meeting.
On June 8th, 1952, James W. Foley was appointed a Reserve Officer, as of this date. On July 8th, 1952, Raymond Malonson and Valentino T. Rufo were appointed by the Board of Selectmen as Reserve Officers to fill vacancies - these appointments to take effect July 14th, 1952.
21
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
CONCLUSION
In closing this report, I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen my sincere thanks for their interest and co-operation at all times during the past year.
To Selectmen Matthew P. Curran and Thomas W. Ackerson, Commit- tee on Police, my thanks for their co-operation and willingness to be of assistance in any possible way for the good of the Department.
To all Town Departments, the Wakefield Daily Item and its police re- porter, Mr. Richard W. Baker, to Dr. Curtis L. Sopher (who, in spite of his advanced age, has continued to take an interest in the Gamewell and radio services as maintained in the department) and to all citizens of the town who have assisted the department in various ways, my sincere thanks for their valuable services.
To the Lieutenant, the Sergeants, and all members of the department, and to my secretary, Mrs. Esther Ball, and to the custodian of the station, Clifford Reardon, who has kept the Police Station and its grounds clean at all times, my thanks for the faithful discharge of their duties at all times during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN G. GATES
Chief of Police
Report of Chief of Fire Department
January 1, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1952, with the total number of alarms, and the losses on same as near as is possible to obtain.
APPARATUS
There are at present 10 pieces of apparatus in this department, and are as follows:
One Triple Combination purchased from the Seagrave Corporation and put in service October 28, 1938. This piece of apparatus designated as En- gine 3 is of the covered type and represents the latest type of pumping engine. It is equipped with a 750 gallon centrifugal pump, 100 gallon booster tank, 250 feet of 34 hose, 1,250 feet of 21/2 inch hose, ladders, smoke masks, 2 Scott Air Paks, 2 fog nozzles for combatting gasoline and oil fires, 3 shut-off type nozzles, 4 types of extinguishers, salvage covers, crash axe, smoke ejector, first aid kit, plus much other equipment necessary to bring this unit up to an efficient piece of apparatus.
22
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
One Triple Combination purchased from the Seagrave Corporation and put in service July 1924. This piece of apparatus is equipped with a 750 gallon type centrifugal pump, 1,250 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 200 feet of 3/4 inch hose, 80 gallon booster tank, 2 types of cellar pipes, salvage covers, stretcher, smoke masks, 2 Scott Air Paks, 3 types of extinguishers, 2 fog nozzles, ladders, first aid kit and much other equipment.
One Double-bank type 75 foot aerial ladder truck purchased from the Seagrave Corporation and put in service December 1928. This piece of ap- paratus carries 379 feet of ladders, 80 gallon booster tank, 300 feet of 3/4 inch hose for booster line, booster pump, life net, salvage covers, stretcher, 2 oxygen type smoke masks for heavy concentrations of smoke and gases, 3 canister type smoke masks, 1 portable Baker water gun, several types of cellar pipes, water gun mounted on aerial ladder with 3 inch hose attached, inhalator for use in emergency life saving with micro attachment which may be used on two persons at the same time, crash axe and other neces- sary equipment.
One Triple Combination of the enclosed body type put in service in December 1941. This piece of apparatus is equipped with a booster pump, 300 feet of 34 inch hose, 145 gallon water tank, 1,500 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 2 types of nozzles, 2 Scott Air Paks, pump tanks for grass and brush fires, shovels, brooms, first aid kit, and other necessary equipment.
One Dodge chief's car purchased in 1948. This car carries extra oxygen bottles for resuscitation work, first aid supplies, P & Q door opener, 2 way radio on same wave length as our radio equipped apparatus. There is other equipment that has proved to be a valuable asset to the department's equipment.
One Triple Combination stationed at the Engine 2 station in Green- wood and purchased from the Seagrave Corporation in 1929. This piece of apparatus is equipped with a 600 gallon centrifugal type pump, 80 gal- lon booster tank, 200 feet of 34 inch hose for booster line, 1,000 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 600 feet of 11% inch hose, ladders, axes, nozzles, smoke masks, 2 Scott Air Paks, cellar pipe, salvage covers and other equipment.
One Triple Combination purchased from the Seagrave Corporation and put in service as of January 1951. This piece is equipped with a 500 gallon pump, 500 gallon booster tank, 600 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 1,000 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 600 feet of 3/4 inch booster hose on reels of 300 feet each, ansul extinguisher, bars, axes and nozzles.
One Pierce Arrow sedan type hose carrying piece of equipment desig- nated as Auxiliary 1, which was put in service in 1942, to serve as an aux- iliary piece for defense purposes. This piece of equipment carries 1,000 feet of 11/2 inch hose, pump tanks, axes, nozzles and other equipment.
Two Trailer type pumping engines which were purchased from the Office of Civilian Defense. These units are equipped with 400 feet of 21/2 inch hose, pump tanks, nozzles, 200 feet of 11/2 inch hose, and much other necessary equipment.
During the year this department has responded to 626 alarms, which are divided as follows: 121 Box Alarms and 505 Still Alarms.
Estimate of Property Endangered
$257,650.00
Loss on Same
40,470.76
Insurance Paid on Same
32,860.76
23
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Insurance on Same Transit Value Transit Loss
329,550.00
11,070.00
1,812.30
RECOMMENDATIONS, ETC.
For 1953 I recommend that six additional men be added to the Per- manent Force. This will allow for the Permanent Force to be placed upon a 56 hour plan basis which prevails in the majority of cities and towns throughout the state.
I also recommend that a Capital Outlay plan be revived to provide at least a part of the cost of new pieces of apparatus as may be needed in the future. Replacement of Engine 1 purchased in 1924 will cost around $20,000.00 today. Replacement of Ladder 1 purchased in 1928 will cost in the vicinity of $35,000.00 at present day prices. And to replace Engine 2 purchased in 1929 would cost $20,000.00.
All motor equipment has been kept up to an operable condition, re- pairs having been made when necessary during 1952.
During 1952 a total of 317 power oil burners, and 14 range type burners were inspected and approved, together with approval of 113,975 gallons of fuel oil storage for same.
Other permits granted after inspections are as follows: Explosives 18; Inflammables 11; Underground tank removals 2; Liquefied Petroleum Gas 7; all gasoline stored under licenses granted by the Board of Selectmen, and 2 permits for shutting off of sprinklers for the repairs of the systems or extensions.
In the month of December around Christmas week there were 296 Christmas trees sprayed along with 20 wreaths and 9 sprays. This service is given in the interest of home protection with a fire retarding solution.
CONCLUSION
In closing this report I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Se- lectmen my sincere thanks for the interest and cooperation manifested by them in all matters pertaining to this department.
I wish to express my appreciation to the residents of Wakefield for their cooperation in fire prevention, to the permanent firemen who have responded to alarms when off duty; to the members of the call force for their cooperation at all times; to the auxiliary firemen who have given so freely of their time and efforts, and to all other members of all other town departments for their assistance and cooperation.
To Herbert K. Noble and Miss Catherine E. Simpson my thanks are extended for their cooperation on matters pertaining to the Fire De- partment.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD E. JACOBS
Chief of Fire Department
24
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Forest Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
During the year there was a total of 232 woods and grass fires. Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF CLIFFORD E. JACOBS
Forest Warden
Report of Building Inspector
January 19, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report of my activities for the year ending December 31, 1952:
Building Permits granted 289
Sets of plans for new houses, schools, alterations, and additions approved
289
Building inspections made
2,531
Inspections with State Inspector
34
Buildings condemned
5
Inspections with Fire Chief
54
Inspections with State Fire Marshal's Office
1
Complaints investigated
217
Complaints investigated regarding Zoning By-Laws
242
Violations of Zoning Laws checked
88
Public Halls inspected
4
Carnivals inspected
4
Circus inspections
1
Elevators inspected
14
Lodging Houses inspected
6
Shingle Permits issued
39
Sidewalk Permits issued
38
Fire escapes inspected
18
Sign inspections
41
Notices posted on dangerous and unsafe buildings
8
Insulation condemned as dangerous
3
Fire inspections
7
Buildings torn down
13
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141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Buildings moved
1
Convalescent home inspections
4
Permits refused
6
Chimneys condemned
2
Miles driven
3,998
Board of Appeal Hearings attended
17
Calls received at home before and after hours
237
Total Valuation of Permits granted
$2,012,544.00
Permit fees received
1,075.50
BUILDING VALUATIONS FOR PAST SIX YEARS
1947
$1,595,824.00
1950
$2,368,580.00
1948
1,491,688.00
1951
1,464,545.00
1949
1,475,201.00
1952
2,012,544.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK A. TREDINNICK
Building Inspector
Report of Wire Inspector
January 19, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report as Inspector of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1952:
Permits granted
879
Temporary service permits
37
Inspections made
1,226
Inspections approved
705
Temporary approvals (houses under construction)
60
Installations rejected
63
Wiring without obtaining permit
51
Wiring without license
2
Permits refused
2
Complaints received from Fire Chief
11
Complaints received from residents
10
Services ordered discontinued
6
Inspections in Convalescent Homes
4
Property owners notified to make wiring changes
7
Meetings on job with contractors
58
Public Buildings inspected
9
Trailer service permits
2
26
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Fees collected (June 1, 1952 to December 31, 1952) and deposited in Wakefield Trust Co. $696.50
By vote of your board, a fee schedule for wiring permits was put in effect by our office on June 1, 1952. The department secretary, Miss Janet Wass, was put in charge of issuing all permits and the collection of all fees, payable only at the office. This has proved most satisfactory, no com- plaints have been received and the department for the first time will be partially self-supporting.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. CURRAN Wire Inspector
Report of Plumbing Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year ending De- cember 31, 1952 is as follows:
Number of permits issued
364
Number of fixtures installed
1,571
Oil Burner Storage-Hot Water Heater
1
Gas Storage-Hot Water Heaters
26
Electric Storage-Hot Water Heaters
30
Hot Water Tanks
22
Tankless Heaters
113
Toilets
306
Lavatories
279
Bath Tubs
187
Sinks
244
Showers
22
Laundry Trays
72
Washing Machines
8
Dish Washing Machines
17
Disposals
7
Traps
6
Floor Drains
4
Urinals
16
Drinking Fountains
8
Repiping
5
Relocating Fixtures
2
Soda Fountain
1
Cesspools
88
Sewer Connections
107
Respectfully submitted KENNETH G. SHAW
Inspector of Plumbing
27
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Animal Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
As Inspector of Animals for the Town of Wakefield, I herewith submit the following report from June 1, 1952 to December 31, 1952. 4
Thirty-seven (37) dogs were examined and quarantined for rabies ob- servation as having inflicted injury by biting or scratching persons. There were no cases of rabies in the Town this year.
Two (2) dogs died while under quarantine and their heads were sub- mitted to the laboratory for Negri body examination. They were both negative; therefore, unafflicted with rabies.
All barns housing horses were inspected and found to be in good con- dition.
Respectfully submitted,
C. THIBEAULT, D.V.M. Inspector of Animals
Report of Dog Officer
January 5, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report of the duties performed by me as Dog Officer since taking over the position on August 5, 1952:
Answered (308) calls. Canvassed town twice for unlicensed dogs.
Thirty-four (34) dogs were humanely disposed of.
Thirty-six (36) dogs were returned to their owners. Fifty-four (54) dead animals were picked up.
Forty-three (43) homeless cats were picked up. Eight (8) homes found for cats.
Thirty-five (35) cats were humanely disposed of ..
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HOPKINS,
Dog Officer
28
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
January 1, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the following report for the year 1952:
Adjusted
Sealed
Condemned
Scale over 10,000 lbs.
4
Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.
7
62
2
Scales under 100 lbs.
19
164
1
Weights
326
Linear Measures
7
3
Meters 1 inch outlet
10
85
12
Vehicle tank meters
17
40
5
Bulk storage meters
1
13
4
Reweighs on meats, 132
Reweighs on vegetables, 74
Fees collected, $453.30
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. DEVLIN
Sealer
Report of Director of Civil Defense
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The department of Civil Defense herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1952.
This department was organized pursuant to directives issued by the Governor of Massachusetts, Paul A. Dever, and Chapter 639 General Laws of Massachusetts.
There is one paid employee serving as office clerk and field agent. The director and all other members of the organization are serving on a volun- teer basis. There are at present nine hundred and nineteen (919) volun- teers serving in the various agencies of this department.
ALERT TESTS: Repeated alert tests were held by the State Agency throughout the year. On May 20, 1952 a brief alert was held in which the general public and private industry participated. Public cooperation dur- ing this test was commendable.
29
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
COMMUNICATIONS: The Light Department placed six (6) sirens at various points throughout the town in establishing a public warning sys- tem. A State Police Receiver and Civil Defense Alert Receiver are in operation at the Central Police Station. A two-way radio-telephone net- work has been installed in the fire department consisting of a control sta- tion located in the Central Fire Station a remote control unit in the Green- wood Station and an extension speaker in the Central Police Station. Four two-way radio units located on fire apparatus and two portable radio units. Chairman in charge of this division is Mr. John Curran, Wire Inspector for the Town and a man who has devoted much time to this enterprise.
MEDICAL SERVICES: Under the direction of Mrs. Ernestine Nardone, First-Aid classes, and Home Nursing classes have been made available to those desiring this type of training.
WELFARE SERVICES: Mr. Francis Wallace, Welfare Agent, attended school at Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Mass., during the week of September 29 through October 3, 1952. This was an informative course and I wish to thank the Board of Public Welfare for allowing him that week to attend this school. This past December saw the Wakefield Grange #293 P. of H. join the Town's Civil Defense organization as a unit. They will serve di- rectly under Mr. Wallace, and we welcome their realization of a civic duty, and willingness to help protect their homes.
FIRE SERVICES: The Auxiliary Fire Department under Auxiliary Fire Chief Walter Carley attends regular instruction classes and he has set up a regular training course for the Auxiliary Department. Lieut. Mechanic King serves as instructor for the Department and Engine #5 is their principal piece of training equipment. The Auxiliary Department was held in readiness during the May 20th alert, the July 4th celebration, the search for a lost Lynnfield girl, Halloween and other times when their services were required.
POLICE SERVICES: Sgt. Merritt J. Wenzel in charge of the group of Auxiliary Police which is now the largest and most efficient group in the Civil Defense organization. He now has 85 men trained in all phases of police work. These men ably displayed their abilities and civic loyalties during the following periods; the Memorial Day observance, the Fourth of July, Halloween, their response to aid Lynnfield in the search for a missing girl in which the portable radio units were employed, and their establish- ment of patrols covering the town at the request of Police Chief John G. Gates, and their strict attendance of their bi-weekly meetings. It might be noted that these men, through their services to the Town, have more than offset the cost of the entire Civil Defense program. Sgt. Wenzel should receive special commendation for the fine work he has done in organizing and operating with this fine group of men. The number of hours he has spent in this endeavor are countless.
THE FINANCE DIVISION consisting of both purchasing and stock and supply control have been capably attended by Lieut. William Hurton of the Fire Department. Town Accountant John McCarthy proved him- self a capable councilor.
30
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
This past year I was extremely fortunate in having Miss Catherine E. Simpson and Mr. Thomas W. Ackerson members of the Board of Select- men serving as the Town representatives on Civil Defense matters. Their co-operation and understanding of the problems of the Department made it a pleasant year to serve this Town. I would like to extend my apprecia- tion to the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Herbert K. Noble, and members of the Board of Selectmen and all members of all Depart- ments and Agencies which assisted in this task. Also our thanks to Town Clerk Charles F. Young for keeping himself and his office available to this Agency at all times.
Very truly yours, Wakefield Civil Defense Agency JAMES T. HURTON
Director
Report of Board of Health
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
In reporting the health of the Town of Wakefield for the year 1952, the Board of Health would like to call attention to the increase in the prevalence of Measles and German Measles. There were 865 cases of German Measles in the grade schools and 205 cases reported in the high school. German Measles reached the third highest level ever recorded be- ing exceeded only by the two epidemic years 1935 and 1943. There were over 350 cases of Measles reported to the Health Department with two cases requiring hospitalization.
Twelve cases of Scarlet Fever were reported this year. Prompt treat- ment of sore throats with sulfa drugs and antibiotics is probably masking this disease and making it hard to recognize.
One case of Salmonellosis (para-typhoid) was reported. The onset of this disease being in Mexico.
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