USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1952 > Part 3
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The Town was fortunate in having not one case of Poliomyelitis re- ported for 1952.
Mr. Kenneth G. Shaw, Agent, reported that 308 dogs were innoculated with chick embryo against rabies at the Anti-Rabie Clinic.
A Chest X-Ray Survey was made in October by the State Department of Public Health in cooperation with the Board of Health, Wakefield Tu- berculosis Committee and the Middlesex Health Association. The following is the report of the Survey Findings:
PERCENTAGES OF SPECIAL FINDINGS TO NUMBER X-RAYED*
Special Findings
Number
Percent
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
34
00.530
Active
5
00.078、
Stable
29
00.452
31
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Pulmonary Tb. Suspects
16
00.249
Non-Tuberculosis Pul. Disease
19
00.296
Cardiovascular
51
00.795
Other Conditions
30
00.467
*Number x-rayed: 6,418
Three retake clinics were held and 99 persons attended.
Mrs. Ernestine M. Nardone, R.N., Health Nurse reported that 91 chil- dren attended the Immunization Clinic and received inoculation against Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus.
Mrs. Nardone made the following report of home visits, trips to North Reading Sanatorium, Waltham Sanatorium, and inspection of Boarding Homes.
Tuberculosis Patients and Contacts
185
Communicable Disease cases
40
North Reading Sanatorium
46
Middlesex County Sanatorium
17
Infant Boarding Homes
3
A total of 549 children were examined by the Health Nurse for read- mission to school after a communicable disease.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT DUTTON, M.D., Chairman
ROBERT G. REED, Secretary
EVAN FAIRBANKS
Report of Milk and Food Inspector
To the Board of Health, Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Inspector of Milk & Food for the year ending December 31, 1952.
It is pleasing to report that the milk supply of our Town, at the pres- ent time, is probably the best we have ever enjoyed.
The laboratory tests, for total solids and butter fat contents, of 168 samples of milk, cream and ice cream showed marks well above those re- quired by State Standards, while the average bacteria count was approxi- mately the lowest to date.
The continued growth in Wakefield's population together with the num- ber of new and varied grades of milk now being marketed have naturally increased the work of this office, especially in regard to hours consumed and nature of ground covered.
There is at present 10,000 quarts of milk, cream and ice cream consumed daily in Wakefield, of which approximately 90% comes from out of State
32
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
dairies and none whatever from those within our own limits.
In the above regard, 25 producing dairies come under our inspection, most of which are located in New Hampshire.
With respect to food inspection, there were the usual number of minor complaints, and but one resulting in violent sickness of 3 persons.
All were investigated as to sources and each satisfactorily adjusted.
52 Retail Milk Licenses were issued @ $ .50
$ 26.00
28 Dealer Milk Licenses were issued @ $ . 50 14.00
34 Oleomargarine Licenses were issued @ $ .50 17.00
4 Pasteurization Licenses were issued @ $10.00 40.00
5 Ice Cream Mfg. Licenses were issued @ $5.00 25.00
Total receipts $122.00
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE E. DOUCETT
Inspector of Milk and Food
Report of Board of Public Welfare
January 15, 1953
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
The Board of Public Welfare submits its annual report for the fiscal year of 1952.
As stated in previous annual reports, relief in Massachusetts is admin- istered on a categorical basis, ie; Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance and General Relief. The cost of the three first named programs is shared by the federal government, the state and the town. General Relief is paid for by the town and in some cases by the state. Total expenditures for all relief in Wakefield for the year 1952 and including the Town Home and Administration amounted to $423,528.32. We had returned from all sources $305,841.50 which left a net cost of $117,686.82 or 25.4%. In 1952 Wakefield spent approximately $3,216,862.53 for all town departments and the net welfare cost was 3.7% of the total town expense.
There has been some legislation which has had an effect on expendi- tures. As a result of the law passed which requires the placing of a lien on real property of persons receiving Old Age Assistance, and effective January 1, 1952, four cases were closed as those persons withdrew from our rolls rather than have a lien placed. The law has acted as a deterent to applications for Old Age Assistance as several throughout the year with- drew applications when informed of the new law. Other legislation pro- vided increased minimum payments to Old Age Assistance recipients, pro- vided an increased rent and board and room allowance, and increased the
33
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
exemption of children toward support of parents. On the other hand, starting October 1, 1952, the federal government increased their financial participation in Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children. This, together with an increase in Social Security Benefits, tended to hold ex- penditures during the last quarter and will be reflected on a wider basis during 1953.
The Town Home, under the direction of Mrs. Lena Peck and assisted by Mrs. Anna Miezwa, as cook, functioned in a satsifactory manner. The office personnel remains the same and, as a result of survey made by the State Department of Public Welfare, has been commended for the perform- ance of their work.
General Relief
As indicated in last year's report the number of cases in this category were materially reduced. This was due in part to transfer of some cases to the new program of Disability Assistance. The number of cases were reduced from 20 at the beginning of the year to 13 at the end of the year and the full appropriation was not used as some $12,000.00 was returned unspent.
Aid to Dependent Children
The number of cases assisted in this category remains the same. Seven new cases were added to the rolls and seven cases were closed during the year for the following reasons:
Recipient re-married 1
Recipient gained sufficient resource
2
Recipient moved out of town
2
Recipient proved no longer eligible
2
7
Old Age Assistance
This program continues to show a decline in the number of cases aided. The case load dropped from 345 to 325 at the end of 1952. During the year, 40 new cases were opened and 60 cases were closed for the following reasons :
Recipient died
28
Recipient moved out of town
19
Recipient withdrew at own request 5
Recipient transferred real property
1
Recipient obtained work
2
Recipient had sufficient resource
4
Recipient was sent to jail
1
-
60
A perusal of our case load as of January 1953 shows 120 persons or 37% to be age 80 or over with the average age at 77 years.
Disability Assistance
As noted in last year's report this program, which became effective in November 1951, resulted in transferring some cases from General Relief.
34a
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Our anticipated expense worked out well and the end of the year shows 19 cases being aided. This is an expanding program and we anticipate some further additions this coming year.
ADMINISTRATION Board Members Town Funds
Appropriation Expended
$ 690.00 690.00
Balance
None
Office Employees (All Categories) Town Funds
Appropriation Expended
$ 10,410.00 10,410.00
Balance
None
Federal Funds
Balance on hand, January 1, 1952 Grants (All Categories)
$ 989.09 10,212.42
$ 11,201.51
Expended
$ 10,573.83
Balance on hand, January 1, 1953
$ 627.68
Recapitulation
Funds Available (Town and Federal)
Funds Expended (Town and Federal)
$ 21,611.51 20,983.83
Balance
$ 627.68
General Relief (Town Funds Only) (Federal Aid is not Available to this category) Unpaid Bills for prior years but paid in 1952
34b
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Other Cities and Towns
Appropriation (Initial) Appropriation (Additional)
$ 1,287.41
28.84
$ 1,316.25
Expended
$ 1,308.41
Balance
$ 7.84
Individuals
$ 455.19
Appropriation Expended
455.19
Balance
None
GENERAL RELIEF Individuals
Appropriation
$ 30,000.00
Refunds (Cancelled Checks)
135.10
Total Funds Available
$ 30,135.10
Expended
18,106.21
Balance
$ 12,028.89
Recapitulation Unpaid Bills and Recipients
$ 31,906.54
10,869.81
$ 12,036.73
1952 Case Load Distribution
Living in Wakefield with Wakefield settlement, unless otherwise noted.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided full time
5
60
$ 2,413.41
Aided part time
31
103
5,728.64
$ 8,142.05
Living in Wakefield with Unsettled Status.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided full time
2
24
$ 3,940.53
Aided part time
4
19
1,117.49
$ 5,058.02
Living in Other Cities and Towns with Wakefield settlement.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided part time
7
$ 725.20
Funds Available Funds Expended Balance
34c
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Living under care of Division of Child Guardianship, having a Wakefield settlement.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided
2
18*
$ 832.74
*Bill for final quarter not yet received.
Living in Wakefield with settlement elsewhere.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided full time
2
24
$ 1,345.60
Aided part time
6
22
2,002.60
$ 3,348.20
Recapitulation
No. of Cases
Amount
Recipients with Wakefield settlement
45
$ 9,699.99
Recipients with Unsettled status
6
5,058.02
Recipients with settlement elsewhere
8
3,348.20
-
Total
59
$ 18,106.21
Average cost per case per month
1952
$ 62.75
1951
61.61
1950
65.88
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Recipients
Funds Available
Town and Federal Funds
Federal Funds on hand, January 1, 1952
$ 7,066.04 10,939.48
Federal Grants, 1952
315.85
Town Appropriation
19,000.00
Funds expended Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 2,087.67
Average cost per case per month
1952
$ 132.95
1951
119.19
1950
107.37
Refunds (Federal)
$ 37,321.37
35,233.70
34d
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Apportionment of Funds (Advice of Audit Sheets are still two months in arrears)
Federal Share State Share Town Share
$ 11,843.03
11,810.66
11,838.78
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Recipients Funds Available Town and Federal Funds
Federal Funds on hand, January 1, 1952
$ 38,064.30
Federal Grants
118,761.04
Refunds (Federal)
2,747.70
Town appropriation
173,000.00
Balance
$332,573.04
Funds Expended-Payrolls $311,912.51
O. C. & T. 5,751.85
$317,664.36
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 14,908.68
Average cost per case per month
1952
$ 77.26
1951
68.12
1950
69.01
Apportionment of Funds (Advice of Audit Sheets are still two months in arrears)
$118,760.04
Federal Share State Share
140,583.18
Town Share
52,961.66
Disability Assistance
Federal Funds, January 1, 1952
$. ... . .
Federal Grants
4,040.04
Refunds (Federal)
6.45
Town Appropriation
10,500.00
Refunds (Town)
426.00
Funds Expended
14,398.26
$ 14,972.79
Balance
$ 574.53
34e
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Average cost per case per month
1952 $ 86.48
Apportionment of Funds (Advice of Audit Sheets in this category are much in arrears.)
TOWN HOME Administration
Salaries
$ 3,475.19
Appropriation Expended
3,475.19
Balance
None
Retirement
Appropriation
$ 941.70
Expended
941.70
Balance
None
Other Expenses
$ 11,000.00
Appropriation Expended
10,333.88
$ 666.12
1952 Operating Expenses
Administration
$ 4,416.89
Other Expenses
10,333.88
Value of Farm Produce Used
50.00
Value of Surplus Commodities
140.00
Inventory of Goods on Hand, January 1, 1952
140.00
Gross cost
$ 15,080.77
Money paid by Inmates
$ 1,950.00
Inventory of goods on hand, January 1, 1953
250.00
$ 2,200.00
$ 12,880.77
Case Load
14 inmates in home entire year
5,110 Man Days
16 inmates in home intermittently
1,438 Man Days
6,548
Net cost
34f
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Gross Cost per Man Day
1952
$ 2.30
1951
2.49
Net Cost per Man Day
1952
$ 1.97
1951
2.34
Department of Public Welfare Financial Statement - 1952
Administration
Income
Expenditures
Disability Assistance
State
$ 224.23
Federal
448.86
Old Age Assistance Federal
8,849.52
1,167.39
Aid Dependent Children Federal
914.04
General Relief
1,221.00
Board Members Salaries
690.00
Recipients
General Relief
18,106.21
Other Cities
1,218.60
1,701.20
State
4,767.70
Disability Assistance
14,392.26
State
4,858.83
Federal
3,855.72
Aid Dependent Children
35,233.70
State
11,810.66
Federal
11,843.03
Old Age Assistance
317,664.36
State
140,583.18
Federal
118,761.04
O. C. & T.
6,192.74
Town Home
14,750.77
Board From Residents 1,950.00
$305,841.50
$423,528.32 Expenditures 305,841.50 Income
$117,686.82 Town Share, or 25.4%
1951
Expenditures Income
$402,965.90
289,217.52
Town Share
$113,748.38
or 28.2%
$ 959.36
17,636.08
34g
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Willard Donnell Trust Fund
To the Wakefield Trust Company, a Massachusetts Corporation, hav- ing its place of business in said Wakefield, Ten Thousand Dollars, in trust, to hold, invest and reinvest the same at its discretion, and to pay over the net income thereof to the Town of Wakefield for the use of the Public Welfare Board of said Wakefield to be expended by the said Board in its discretion, for the benefit of the poor and needy in the Town of Wake- field, and especially for the payment of hospital charges of the inhabitants of the Town of Wakefield as are themselves financially unable to pay such hospital charges. This trust shall continue for a term of nineteen years and at the expiration of that term, I direct said Trustee to transfer and pay over the said trust estate with all accumulations thereon to said Town of Wakefield, to be held by said Town, and the income only to be used for the benefit of such of its inhabitants as are in need of hospital care.
This trust fund started May 2, 1935, and will expire on May 2, 1954. Balance on hand, January 1, 1952 $ 299.29
Dividends 343.87
Total
$ 643.16
Expended
290.50
Balance, 12/31/52
$ 352.66
Respectfully submitted,
P. Y. MYHRE, Chairman
J. EDWARD DULONG P. ELIZABETH KITCHENMAN M. LEO CONWAY WINSOR L. FINNEY, JR.
35
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Veterans' Benefits and Services
-
January 26, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Veterans' Benefits and Services Department submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1952. During the past year the budgetorial allowance to recipients was increased by State legislation by 5%.
Under Chap. 115, General Laws as amended, the Town of Wakefield is reimbursed one-half of all monies spent, provided that proper authoriza- tion from the State as to settlement, dependency and need is shown. From an appropriation of $32,000.00 the amount of $29,889.42 was expended and $726.55 was refunded on returned checks. This left an amount of $2,837.13 as unexpended appropriation to be returned to the town. From the total expenditures, one-half will be reimbursed from the State. We are again pleased to report that through careful investigation and periodical check- ups, there have been no disallowments from the State office this year.
Unexpended
Appropriations
Expenditures Appropriations
Recipients and Expenses Checks Returned
$ 32,000.00
$ 29,889.42
$ 2,110.58 726.55
Total Amount Returned
$ 2,837.13
Number of Recipients Aided :
76 Cases
Medical cases aided
55 Cases
Fuel cases aided
39 Cases
Veterans' Services
Veterans' Assisted with Pension Requests
24 Cases
Hospitalization
12 Cases
Dental Outpatient
7 Cases
Medical Outpatient
16 Cases
Burial Benefits
4 Cases
Headstone and Markers
3 Cases
-;
Gold Star Pin Applications
2 Cases
Housing
11 Cases
Insurance
5 Cases
Education
27 Cases
Tax Abatement
14 Cases
War Allotment cases
6 Cases
Mustering Out Payment
6 Cases
Job Placement
17 Cases
In closing this report, I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen for their co-operation and to the Selectmen's representative, Mr. Thomas Ackerson, my sincere thanks for his deep interest and assistance.
Yours truly,
RICHARD J. McGRAIL, Veterans' Agent Veterans' Service Director
726.55
36
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Recreation Commission
The staff consisted of a general supervisor; an assistant supervisor, who was in charge of folk dancing and pageantry; a handicraft super- visor; and eleven assistants.
Moulton, Maple Way, Montrose School, Hart's Hill, the Common, and Nasella were used for general play areas. Veterans' Field was used for adult softball, and Walton Field for older boys baseball. Greenwood Union Church Vestry and the High School Auditorium were used one day a week for movies proper for children under twelve years of age. Folk dancing and pageantry were practiced in the Lafayette Building in the mornings.
The smaller children enjoyed story telling periods, swings, see-saws, slides and sandbox play besides their movie programs.
Horseshoes, basketball, and baseball were preferred by the older boys. The girls enjoyed tennis, circle games, softball, volley ball and dodge ball.
Special contests with prize awards were held weekly on the various playgrounds.
Demonstration Day consisted of championship games all day on the Common. In the evening under lights at Veterans' Field as part of the above program the features were: a pageant and folk dance exhibit, a handicraft exhibit, adult softball games, and dancing for the youngsters on the tennis courts to musical recordings.
Two new features this year were the formal opening of the Little League with a gala parade, and the opening of the beach and playground at the head-of-the-lake.
Eleven uniformed teams consisting of 165 boys from 8 to 12 years in age played a schedule of more than 120 games from June to September. Next year we expect to have leagues consisting of 16 teams of 240 boys, ages from 8 to 15 years, playing a schedule of more than 200 games.
The head-of-the-lake beach was opened as a public playground in early August. The swimming area was restricted to local youths who were qualified to use the playgrounds.
A waterfront expert watched over the swimming, and a playground supervisor, the play area adjoining the beach. Barrels were floated on ropes to mark the swimming area and close watch was kept on the chil- dren at all times. The use of the beach in this manner was the first use of any kind since the area was closed to everyone early in the summer of 1951.
Injuries on the beach and on the playgrounds consisted of one frac- tured ankle and a few minor injuries. Most of the cuts treated were from off-shore bathing near the Common.
With a systematic planning of one building a year, in a short time,
37
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
all play areas would have lavatory facilities, and storage space for equip- ment.
These are the greatest needs for the immediate future.
DR. PHILIP L. MCAULIFFE, Chairman EDNA MAE PAULSON, Secretary-Treasurer EUGENE J. SULLIVAN RICHARD J. SCANLON DONALD G. DAY NICHOLAS P. MAURIELLO AVIS M. BLANCHARD
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Board of Public Works
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
During the year 1952 the department substantially completed all work which had been planned for in the budget. This work was accomplished, in general, with Town labor and equipment with the exception of the con- tract that was awarded for the construction of sidewalks and curbings.
Building construction continued at a rapid rate and has been respon- sible for a large number of sewer and water connections.
Funds were appropriated at the Town Meeting in March 1952 for a backhoe attachment for the one-half yard Osgood shovel, which was for- merly highway equipment. With this backhoe many thousands of feet of trench for sewer and water mains and drainage were excavated with a de- cided saving to the Town.
It is going to be necessary in 1953 to resand filter No. 1 for the Water Division which has not been sanded since 1947.
The replacing of the old cement lined sheet iron water pipe was con- tinued in the distribution system with cement lined cast iron pipe. There are still several miles of this pipe to replace and it is planned to continue the replacement program.
The sand filters have been cleaned more often this year than has been the custom as a result of the clogging of the filters by profuse algae growth. The extremely dry spell we experienced during the summer and fall months caused the lake to drop 65" and it is still low. It is felt that this low water has been responsible in part for the algae growth and clogging of the filters.
Considerable thought has been given to an auxiliary pumping unit at the Broadway pumping station to replace the existing steam pump which is 72 years old. This unit is inadequate to provide water for the Town in case of an emergency during a power failure. We expect to request a Diesel pumping unit or auxiliary gas pump to replace existing steam pump. If the Town is to continue with the present water system, as was indicated by the 1952 Town Meeting, it appears expedient that some auxiliary equip- ment should be installed. If standby facilities are installed it is planned to make changes in the heating equipment for the station and the ad- joining buildings.
Late in the Fall of 1952 we found that screen cages for the two fresh water intakes for the pumping station had disintegrated due to age and immediate repairs were necessary. The services of a diver were secured in late November and his work will extend into 1953 before complete repairs are accomplished.
The Glen Meadow sewer project, which was started in the Fall of 1951, was completed this year with the exception of the patching of streets which will be done as fast as house connections are completed on the in- dividual streets.
There is still a need for the construction of lateral sewers in many parts of Town and plans have been prepared and it is expected that the construction will be recommended by the Board of Health.
39
141ST ANNUAL REPORT
Acting as a Board of Survey, the Board of Public Works approved lay- outs of the following developments and private ways:
Morrison Road Woodcrest Drive Thorndike Road
Ledgewood Road
For further details of the work of the various departments, please re- fer to the Report of the Director of Public Works.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY F. ADAMS JOHN N. BILL SABATINO BENEDETTO
Board of Public Works
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
December 31, 1952
To the Honorable Board of Public Works Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
When I wrote mny report for the year 1951, I had been in charge of the Public Works Department for only seven months. I commented that I felt the consolidation of departments was working decidedly to the ad- vantage of the Town for economical operation. Now that we have had a complete year under the same set-up, I am thoroughly convinced that we are working together as one department for the benefit of the taxpayer.
A meter testing machine, that was authorized by the 1952 Town Meet- ing, will not be delivered until January 1953. We are now contemplating, with the new meter testing machine, to start a meter program whereby all the meters in Town will, in due time, be tested and adjusted to operate correctly. It is a well known fact that meters tend to run slowly after a period of years and there is no question but what the Town is losing money on this account.
Two men must be allocated to this work and stay on it until the pro- gram has been completed which may require several years. If we are to get results it will be necessary to have a service truck for this purpose which I intend to request in the 1953 budget.
We are in need of other equipment and it is essential that we have a low bed trailer to move the bulldozer and small roller which have to be moved from place to place very frequently.
It is contemplated requesting two new 1/2 ton pick-up trucks and turn- ing in two old ones, also a 76" mower for the Park Department, a sprayer for the Moth & Tree Department, and a vehicle for the Engineering De- partment is definitely needed. Our plows and sidewalk tractors are very old and it is contemplated requesting two new sidewalk tractors and three plows.
For your information I am submitting reports of the various divisions of the Public Works Department which are as follows:
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ENGINEERING DIVISION
This division furnished all job engineering required for the construc- tion of drains, sewers, street and sidewalks done by the various divisions.
Extensive drainage studies were made which resulted in economic de- sign and lower construction costs. Estimates and plans for street accept- ance were prepared for hearings, involving seven streets. This required a detailed study in each instance to determine the most economic grade and design to fit the general contour of existing properties. Many requests for sidewalks and curbing were received and detailed estimates prepared.
The engineers have also been called upon to furnish street lines, street numbers and many miscellaneous engineering studies.
It is planned to have hearings on street work during the early months of 1953 for all interested parties in connection with street acceptance re- quests that are now pending.
In general the engineers have been called upon to do all engineering in connection with drainage, sewer and street work which is being consid- ered for the 1953 budget. This work consists of surveys and design as well as details of construction so that fairly accurate estimates may be made for budgetary purposes and so that interested parties may be advised as to their costs.
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