USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1953 > Part 2
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Money collected for bicycle registrations
$65.00
Money collected for taxi licenses issued $88.00
Money collected for taxi badges issued
$88.00
AUXILIARY POLICE
In connection with the Civil Defense set-up, the Police Department has an Auxiliary Police Force of eighty-five men made up of citizens of this town. This force was organized in 1951 and is under the able lead- ership of Sergt. John M. Wenzel. These auxiliary officers are all trained in the fundamentals of police work and are ready and willing to step into any emergency to assist the regular officers.
All these officers have had revolver practice on the police depart- ment range under the leadership of Instructors Maurice Lenfest and Lawrence Tucker, who are known to be experts in the use of firearms. There are, at the present time, three teams made up of auxiliary police entered in the New England Police Revolver League, and these teams hold competitive matches with auxiliary police from other departments. All these officers have taken the Standard Red Cross First-Aid Course and several of them have completed the Instructors' Course and are now qualified First-Aid Instructors.
During the past year, the auxiliary officers have been used in di- recting traffic and assisting the regular officers in enforcing law and order on May 30th, the night of July 3rd, during the parade and fire- works on July 4th, Hallowe'en night (Oct. 31st), and on such other times as they are needed. These officers have worked a total of 2,287 hours of police duty at no cost to the town. If it had been necessary to hire reserve officers to do this amount of police work, it would have cost the town $2,652.42.
I recommend that a sum of money be voted and set aside in the Civil Defense budget to buy some more uniforms of various sizes that can be used by these auxiliary officers when they are called upon to do police work. These men receive no pay for their work and, that being so, they should not be expected to buy their own uniforms.
To all members of this auxiliary department who have shown a keen interest in their work and have attended semi-monthly meetings regularly, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their efforts and time. I trust that this organization will continue to function with the same spirit during the coming year.
My sincere thanks also go to Sergeant Wenzel for the many hours of overtime he has worked in keeping this auxiliary department organ- ized and trained, and for fostering in the auxiliary force a spirit of will- ingness to be of assistance at any time it is called upon to help out,
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
I am also grateful to Mr. Lenfest and Mr. Tucker for the time they have devoted to instructing these officers in the use of firearms; also, I thank James Hurton, Director of Civil Defense, for his co-operation during the past year.
CONCLUSION
In closing this report, I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen my sincere thanks for their interest in the department and for their co-operation at all times during the past year. To Selectmen Matthew P. Curran and George J. Gould, Committee on Police, go my thanks for their co-operation and assistance, during the past year, in all matters pertaining to the Police Department.
To all Town Departments, the Wakefield Daily Item and its police reporter, Mr. Richard W. Baker, to Dr. Curtis L. Sopher (who over a period of years has kept an interest in the police Gamewell Board and police radio) and to all citizens of the town who have assisted the de- partment in various ways, I offer my sincere thanks for their valuable service.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank, publicly, the Wake- field Lodge of Elks which has supplied, over a period of years, the major part of the oxygen that is used by the Police Department in emer- gency cases - mostly sudden heart cases. In addition to the oxygen, this Lodge has supplied the meters and masks for the use of this oxygen and has purchased three large oxygen tanks which are kept full for emergency use. During the past year, we have had many calls for this oxygen for emergency use until the patient was well enough to be re- moved to the hospital. I know that all these patients are grateful to the Elks Lodge for the oxygen and for this project the Lodge has taken on as a public service.
To the Lieutenant, the Sergeants, and all members of this depart- ment, 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 and ready for inspection at all times, I extend my thanks for the faithful discharge of their duties at all times during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
:
JOHN G. GATES
Chief of Police
19
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Chief of Fire Department
January 1, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1953, with the total number of alarms, and the losses on same as near as is possible to obtain.
During the year this department has responded to 670 alarms. which are divided as follows: 147 Box Alarms and 523 Still Alarms.
Estimate of Property Endangered $236,050.00
Loss on Same
46,529.48
Insurance Paid on Same 40,935.17
Insurance on Same
384,000.00
Transit Value
Transit Loss
20,000.00 400.00
On July 25th, 1953 our Chief Clifford E. Jacobs passed on. Chief Jacobs was appointed a call man June 1, 1912. In November of 1915 he was appointed to the permanent force. He was appointed Captain on July 1st, 1924 in charge of Platoon A. On the retirement of Chief Gra- ham he was appointed Chief on October 20, 1945 and served as such until his death. The Fire Department lost a leader and the community a friend.
On August 18, 1953, Lieutenant Arthur F. Goodridge retired. He had served the town as a firefighter for the past 31 years.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For 1954 I recommend that the town purchase a 750 gallon pump to replace Engine 1. This piece was purchased in 1924 and has seen 29 years of service. This should substantiate my asking for a new pump.
I also recommend that the town equip with alternators the remain- ing pieces of apparatus that were not done in 1953.
CONCLUSION
In closing this report I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen my sincere thanks for the interest and cooperation mani- fested by them in all matters pertaining to this department.
To Herbert K. Noble and Miss Catherine E. Simpson my thanks are extended for their cooperation on matters pertaining to the Fire De- partment.
I wish to express my appreciation to the call force for their co-op- eration at all times; also to the Officers and members of the perma- nent force; to the auxiliary firemen who have given so freely of their time and efforts, and to all other town departments for their assistance and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, CAPT. ROBERT P. MacDONALD Officer in Charge
20
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
CLIFFORD E. JACOBS 1891 - 1953 Chief, Wakefield Fire Department 1945 - 1953
21
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Forest Warden
January 1, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
During the year there was a total of 180 woods and grass fires.
Respectfully submitted,
CAPT. ROBERT P. MacDONALD Deputy Forest Warden
Report of Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report of my activities for the year ending December 31, 1953:
Building permits granted
254
Sets of plans for new houses, schools, alterations, and additions approved 254
Building inspections made
1854
Inspections with State Inspector
39
Buildings condemned
7
Inspections with Fire Chief
63
Inspections with State Fire Marshal's Office
2
Complaints investigated
263
Complaints investigated regarding Zoning By-Laws
182
Violations of Zoning Laws checked
104
Public Halls inspected
2
Carnivals inspected
2
Circus inspections
1
Elevators inspected
10
Lodging houses inspected
6
Shingle permits issued
19
Sidewalk permits issued
18
Fire escapes inspected
25
Sign inspections
53
Notices posted on dangerous and unsafe buildings
5
Insulation condemned as dangerous
1
Fire inspections
27
Buildings razed
24
Buildings moved
4
Convalescent home inspections
6
Permits refused
10
Chimneys condemned
1
Miles driven
4579
22
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Board of Appeal hearings attended
12
Calls received at home before and after hours
377
Total valuation of permits granted Permit fees received
$ 2,629,161.00
703 00
BUILDING VALUATIONS FOR PAST SIX YEARS
1948
$ 1,491,688.00
1951
$ 1,464,545.00
1949
1,475,201.00
1952
2,012,544.00
1950
2,368,580.00
1953
2,629,161.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK A. TREDINNICK
Building Inspector
Report of Wire Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report as Inspector of Wires for the year
ending December 31, 1953:
Permits granted
902
Temporary service permits
49
Inspections made
1338
Inspections approved
965
Temporary approvals (houses under construction)
74
Installations rejected
56
Wiring without obtaining permit
47
Permits refused
1
Complaints received from Fire Chief
6
Services ordered discontinued
1
Inspections in convalescent homes
4
Property owners notified to make wiring changes
15
Meetings on job with contractors
89
Public buildings inspected
7
Fees collected January 1, 1953 to December 31, 1953
and deposited in Wakefield Trust Co. $1,061.00
Ethelyn M. Ramsdell, appointed clerk in this office by your board on April 16, 1953, was given the responsibility of issuing all permits and the collection of all fees payable only at the office. This arrangement has proven most satisfactory.
In this report I would like to express my appreciation of the excel- lent co-operation of Capt. Robert MacDonald of the Fire Department in the inspection of, and the permit check, on all oil burner installations.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. CURRAN
Wire Inspector
23
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Plumbing Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1953 is as follows:
Number of permits issued
396
Number of fixtures
1,743
Bath Tubs
202
Lavatories
289
Showers
59
Toilets
333
Sinks
216
Trays
116
Tankless
142
Disposals
2
Dish Washers
15
Washing Machines
18
Drinking Fountains
16
Syrup Fountain
1
Soda Fountain
1
Gas Storage - Hot Water Heater
38
Oil Burner Storage-Hot Water Heaters
3
Electric Storage-Hot Water Heaters
21
Hot Water Tanks
22
Urinals
27
Floor Drains
24
MDC Trap
1
Sump Pump
1
Repiping
3
Sewer Connections
103
Cesspools
152
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH G. SHAW
Inspector of Plumbing
24
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Animal Inspector
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith respectfully submit the following report as Animal In- spector for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Seventy-five dogs were examined and quarantined for rabies ob- servation.
Three dogs died while under quarantine and their heads were sent to Wasserman Laboratories. All tests were Negative. There were no cases of rabies in Wakefield during the year ending December 31, 1953.
All barns housing cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine were in- spected and found to be in satisfactory condition.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN W. HOPKINS,
Animal Inspector
Report of Dog Officer
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby respectfully submit the following report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1953.
DOGS
Answered 935 telephone calls
Picked up 156 stray dogs
Returned 81 stray dogs
Disposed of 75 stray dogs
Sold one dog ($3.00) Money turned in to Town Treasurer
I also picked up 134 dead animals.
CATS Picked up 103 cats Returned 8 cats Disposed of 95 cats
Respectfully yours,
JOHN W. HOPKINS,
Dog Officer
25
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
Dec. 31, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the following report for 1953:
Adjuster
Sealed
Condemned
Scales over 10,000 lbs.
1
6
2
Scales 5,000 to 10,000 1bs.
1
Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.
7
50
1
Scales under 100 lbs.
18
144
1
Avoirdupois weights
302
Yard sticks
6
Gasoline pumps
16
83
2
Vehicle tanks
27
46
Bulk storage
4
4
4
Taxi meters
1
Leather measures
1
Cloth
1
73
645
10
Reweighs on meats and vegetables-124
Fees collected - $431.40
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. DEVLIN,
Sealer
Report of Director of Civil Defense
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
Wakefield, Massachusetts
SUBJECT: Annual Report from Civil Defense Agency Gentlemen:
The Department of Civil Defense herewith submits its annual re- port for the year ending December 31, 1953.
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 volunteer basis. There are at present one thousand and nineteen (1019) volunteers serving in the various agencies of this department.
26
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ALERT TESTS: "Command Post Exercises" were held the first Monday of each month from 7:30 to 9:30 p. m. The radio at Police Headquarters was manned by Auxiliary Officer Crosby and Ham Radio Operator Charles Sheaff was on duty at his home. On May 6th an "Air Raid" alert was held in which the general public and private industry participated. Public cooperation during this test was commendable.
COMMUNICATIONS: On February 9th, the Wakefield Municipal Light Department used the facilities of this Agency during the outage of electricity on the West Side of the Town. During the day the walkie- talkies were used to locate the trouble as well as the Central Station Transmitter. The use of this equipment enabled the men to determine the whereabouts of the break in a much shorter space of time and saved many miles of transportation in trying to locate the outage. During the night the two auxiliary police lamps were obtained from the police sta- tion and the two generators that are on the auxiliary fire truck proved themselves valuable equipment to have during an emergency.
MEDICAL SERVICES: In November of 1952 the first meeting on "Blood Typing" was held in the Civil Defense office. Several meetings were held from that time until the actual typing took place in May of 1953. We called upon the leading civic organizations of the Town to participate. From this group was appointed the following: Steering Committee, Civil Defense Director James T. Hurton; Medical Director, Mrs. Ernestine Nardone, R.N., and Mrs. Dorothy Adams, R.N .; General Chairman, Deputy Director George Adams; Publicity Committee, Mr. Robert Reed and Mr. Francis Smith; Chairman of Canvassing Commit- tee, Mr. Donald Houghton of the P .- T.A. and Chairman of Facilities Committee, Sgt. Merritt Wenzel. The appointment cards were sent home with the school children from all the schools. These cards were picked up by members of various civic groups, namely: The Boy Scouts, Veter- ans of Foreign Wars, West Side Social Club, Sons of Italy Lodge, Junc- tion Civic League, Lions Club and the Auxiliary Police. Over 8,000 ap- pointment cards were turned into this office. Mrs. Joseph Leavitt pro- vided typists and receptionists for each clinic as well as typists before the clinic in order to send appointment cards to the individuals. About 75 typists and receptionists were used. The School Committee granted us permission to use the Greenwood, Hurd, Franklin, Warren and Mont- rose Schools. The Board of Public Works allowed us to use the "ban- quet room" in the Lafayette Building. Mr. John B. Hendershot arranged for Mr. Thomas Kenney to provide at least two typewriters for every school. The actual typing took place from May 18th to May 28th, 1953. There was an afternoon session every day from 2:00 to 5:00 p. m. and two sessions every evening from 6:00 to 9:30 p. m. The total number of people typed was 5786. We wish to call your attention to the fine work of Mrs. Robert Morrison, Mrs. John Clark and Mrs. John J. Walsh for the many hours they spent in learning to type blood. In the event of a disaster here in Wakefield these three women will comprise our own "Blood Typing Team" and possibly be able to help save many lives. This is the first community in this State where this experiment has been un- dertaken and was a marked success. We now have a stockpile of first- aid equipment worth $6,000.00. Half of this equipment is stored at the
27
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Greenwood School and the other half here in our office in the Lafayette Building. The first-aid class of 20 people has been completed under the direction of Mrs. Ernestine Nardone, R.N., and Mrs. Dorothy Adams, R.N.
FIRE SERVICES: The Auxiliary Fire Department under Auxiliary Fire Chief Walter Carley attended regular instruction classes. The De- partment helped out during the Worcester Tornado. The workers stayed in the disaster area overnight on each occasion with the lighting equip- ment, generators and power saws. They responded every night between June 9th and June 21st, with the equipment necessary. They also re- sponded to all fire calls assisting the men of the regular and call force.
POLICE SERVICES: Sgt. Merritt J. Wenzel is in charge of the Auxiliary Police which is now the largest and most efficient group in the Civil Defense organization. He has 88 men trained in all phases of police work. These men ably displayed their abilities and civic loyal- ties during the following periods: The Memorial Day observance, the Fourth of July celebration, Halloween, POW Welcome Home, Blood Typing Clinics and Command Post Exercises. 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 re- ceive special commendation for the fine work he has done in organiz- ing 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 J. McCarthy proved him- self a capable councilor.
The adaptability of Civil Defense and its value in time of disaster was most capably proven during the tornado of June 9th which struck the Worcester area killing 107 people. This Agency responded for a period of 13 days with communication equipment; power saws, and men from the Department of Public Works; lighting equipment manned by regular, auxiliary and volunteer firefighters; power service from the Municipal Light Department; The Building Inspector; transportation from private agencies consisting of C. F. Hartshorne & Son, S. Berry and The Main Street Chevrolet Co. The Town was commended for its fine response to this emergency by the City of Worcester, the State Agency and the Governor, Christian A. Herter.
Recommended: That the Town purchase a rescue wagon in the "matching funds" program with the Federal Government. This piece of equipment was used extensively during the Worcester tornado. There is no such comparable piece of equipment available to the Town. Most towns and cities in this area already have a rescue or special services truck and have found them invaluable. This piece, manned by volun- teers, would be available to all town departments and agencies for all emergencies and kept in the Central Fire Station available on all calls involving a life hazard.
This past year I was extremely fortunate in having Mr. George Gould and Mr. Herbert K. Noble, members of the Board of Selectmen, serving as the Town representatives on Civil Defense matters. Their
28
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
cooperation and understanding of the problems of the Department made it a pleasant year to serve this Town. I would like to extend my ap- preciation to the Chairman of the Board, Miss Catherine Simpson and members of the Board of Selectmen and all members of all Departments 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.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. HURTON, Director of Civil Defense
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 1953, the Board of Health would like to call attention to the increase in the prevalence of Chicken Pox and Mumps. Chicken Pox was the most prevalent with 229 cases reported, fortunately this disease is seldom very severe and very few die of it. More than 161 cases of Mumps were reported with this disease reaching its peak in December and November. There has been a definite increase in the incidence of Scarlet Fever during the year 1953. Twenty-seven cases reported but none with com- plications and most appeared to be of a mild nature. This past year there were 4 cases of Poliomyelitis, with only one of the paralytic type. The bacilli of the salmonella (paratyphoid) group were again present this year. Three cases were reported and each were hospitalized.
There were 6 new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis this year, more than 34 ths discovered through the Chest X-ray Survey. At the present time there are 7 patients in the sanatorium. This is the lowest number for the past year.
Our Immunization Clinic inoculated 173 children, both pre-school and school children against Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus. We do recommend early immunization of all children over three months with booster inoculations a year after the third dose of the primary immunization. Clinics will again be held and parents are urged to attend.
The following field trips, home visits and inspections were made by Mrs. Ernestine M. Nardone, R.N., Public Health Nurse.
North Reading State Sanatorium
27
Middlesex County Sanatorium 11
Communicable Disease Cases 80
Tuberculosis patients and contacts
54
Infant Boarding Homes
3
Nursing Homes 3
Kindergartens 4
A total of 245 children were examined by the nurse for re-admission to school after a communicable disease.
ROBERT DUTTON, Chairman
29
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Milk and Food Inspector
To the Board of Health
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted the report of the Inspector of Milk and Food for the year ending December 31, 1953.
The work of this office throughout the year has been largely of routine nature.
There were 168 samples of milk and cream tested for fats, solids and bacteria contents, with invariably satisfactory results.
Twenty-eight dairy farms, mostly out of state, were also examined by the inspector.
No complaints of unusual nature regarding food have come to the office during the year.
The following are details of accounts:
Ice cream m'fgs. licenses issued-5 at $5.00
$ 25.00
Pasteurizing licenses-4 at $10.00 40.00
Oleomargarine licenses-43 at 50c
21.50
Dealers milk licenses-26 at 50c 13.00
Store milk licenses-49 at 50c
24.50
$124.00
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE E. DOUCETT Inspector of Milk
Report of Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
The Board of Public Welfare submits its annual report for the fiscal year of 1953.
Of the four programs of public assistance administered locally, the cost of three is borne by a combination of Federal, State and local funds. These programs are Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance. General Relief is paid for by the town of settle- ment or, if unsettled, by the State. Total expenditures for all relief in Wakefield for the year 1953 and including the Town Home and Admin- istration amounted to $418,423.40. We had returned from all sources $320,579.68 which left a net cost of $97,843.72.
It was indicated in last year's report that the new law, requiring the taking of a lien against property owners, who applied for Old Age Assistance, would act as a deterent. This law has apparently worked out as such for of fifty-one applications made in 1953 only four were property owners. Further in this connection seven property owning Old Age Assistance clients died throughout the year and we recovered a
30
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
total of $7,097.94. As time passes the total of these resources will in- crease, thus helping in some degree to lessen the burden of support.
Our social workers were able to better the living conditions of sev- eral clients. These persons, who were living in commercial rooming houses and eating meals out, were placed with private families and have expressed themselves as being very pleased and content. The re- moval of rent control in Wakefield resulted in nine families reporting an increase in rent.
The number of residents at the Town Home did not fluctuate much and Mrs. Lena Peck, as Matron, with Mrs. Anna Miezwa, as cook, con- tinued a good administration of the Home. Some landscaping work was done as a result of the contribution of shrubs by the Greenwood Garden Club and the dormitory has been painted.
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