USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1953 > Part 3
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General Relief
There was very little activity in this program which continues to show a decline. No new full time cases have been added, although we gave intermittent aid to several families for reasons of sickness. Again for the second year running we have been able to return some of the appropriation, i. e. $12,000.00 in 1952 and $3,381.17 in 1953.
Aid to Dependent Children
This program has leveled off with about the same case load being constant throughout the year. We added six new cases to the rolls dur- ing the year and closed six cases for the following reasons:
Recipient gained sufficient resource 3
Recipient moved out of town
1
Recipient obtained work 2
-
6
Disability Assistance
We had anticipated a greater increase in this program than actually materialized. Experience charts, both local and State, seem to show that a levelling off has been reached insofar as new cases are concerned. The physical condition of these clients, however, results in a rather high case cost because of hospital and medical needs. We added ten new cases during 1953 and closed eight cases for the following reasons:
Recipient died 4
Recipient moved out of town 1
Recipient transferred to category of OAA 1
Recipient no longer eligible 1
Recipient patient in tuberculosis hospital 1
-
8
Old Age Assistance
The Federal Social Security Program evidenced itself as an increas- ing factor in Old Age Assistance. Last year there was a change in grants which reflected itself in the November 1953 payroll as showing 103 persons out of 314 Old Age Assistance clients receiving Federal bene-
31
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
fits for a total of $3,800 monthly. Contributions from children also in- creased due to a high point of employment and earnings. The Novem- ber 1953 payroll showed fifty-four persons receiving a legal contribution from children which amounted to almost nine hundred dollars.
The number of cases showed a slight decrease over the year drop- ping from 325 to 321.
Of fifty-one applications received, forty-five were approved and six denied for the following reasons:
Recipient withdrew application 1
Assistance denied by reason that applicant had sufficient resources to cover need 3
Assistance denied by reason that applicant lacked documentary proof of 65 years of age. 2
-
6
We closed forty-seven cases during the year for the following reasons:
Recipient died 22
Recipient transferred to another city or town
8
Recipient moved out of state 2
Recipient removed from rolls per client's own request 1
Recipient removed from rolls by family's request; children to support 3
Recipient had resources in excess of need
5
Recipient eligible only while hospitalized 1
Recipient admitted to State Tuberculosis Hospital 1
Recipient admitted to State Mental Hospital 2
Recipient entered Town Home by own request
1
Recipient admitted to private institution by family
1
47
A perusal of our case load at the end of 1953 shows fifty persons to be age 85 or over with the average age at 77 years. This factor will tend to hold our case load at its present level or lower.
Department of Public Welfare Financial Statement - 1953
Administration
Income Expenditures $ 1,179.50
Disability Assistance
State
$ 392.85
Federal
785.72
Aid to Dependent Children Federal
1,001.95
Old Age Assistance Federal
9,362.57
General Relief
775.50
Board Members Salaries
1,729.75
19,331.82
690.00
32
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Recipients
General Relief
Other Cities and Towns
4,643.75
14,724.93
State
3,172.54
Refunds
246.25
Disability Assistance
24,125.26
State
9,120.92
Federal
9,466.02
Refunds
307.92
Aid to Dependent Children
29,023.11
State
9,555.57
Federal
11,624.30
Refunds
248.54
Old Age Assistance
305,502.31
State
129,342.10
Federal
122,180.92
Other Cities and Towns
5,114.62
Refunds
1,328.27
Town Home
14,541.85
Board from Residents
2,684.97
Donnell Fund
182.15
232.45
Unpaid Bills
1,875.81
$320,761.83 $418,655.85 Expenditures 320,761.83 Income
$ 97,894.02 Town Share, or, 23.4%
ADMINISTRATION Board Members Town Funds
Appropriation
$ 690.00
Expended
690.00
Balance
None
Office Employees (All Categories) Town Funds
Appropriation (D.A. $575.50; A.D.C. $575.50; O.A.A.
$9,783.50; G.R. $775.50)
$ 11,710.00
Expended
11,710.00
Balance
None
Federal Funds
Balance on hand, January 1, 1953
$ 627.68
Grants
11,150.24
Funds Available
11,777.92
Expended
11,306.57
Balance
$ 471.35
33
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Recapitulation
Funds Available (Town and Federal Funds)
$ 23,487.92
Funds Expended (Town and Federal Funds)
23,016.57
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 471.35
GENERAL RELIEF Unpaid Bills for Years Prior to 1953
Appropriation (initial)
$ 582.24
Appropriation (Special Town Meeting, 11/30/53)
1,294.00
Total
1,876.24
Expended
1,875.81
Balance
.43
Funds for 1953 Recipients
Appropriation
$ 18,000.00
Refunds (Cancelled Checks)
106.10
Total
$ 18,106.10
Expended
14,724.93
Balance
$ 3,381.17
Recapitulation Unpaid Bills and Recipients
Funds Available
$ 19,982.34
Funds Expended
16,600.74
Balance
$
3,381.60
1953 Case Load Distribution
Living in Wakefield with Wakefield Settlement.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided full time
7
84
$ 3,486.85
Aided part time
47
155
11,238.08
Total
$ 14,724.93
Living in Wakefield with Unsettled Status.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided full time
0
0
$
Aided part time
4
16
2,560.82
Total
$ 2,560.82
Living in Other Cities and Towns with Wakefield Settlement.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount $ 1,651.71
Aided
12
Total
$ 1,651.71
34
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Living in Wakefield with Settlement Elsewhere.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
Aided full time
2
24
$ 913.00
Aided part time
7
21
2,695.75
$ 3,608.75
Living under care of Division of Child Guardianship, having a Wake- field Settlement.
No. of Cases
Months
Amount
2
18
$ 813.42*
*Bill for final quarter not yet received.
Recapitulation
No. of Cases
Amount
Recipients with Wakefield Settlement
40
$ 8,555.36
Recipients with settlement elsewhere
9
3,608.75
Recipients with Unsettled status
4
2,560.82
-
53
$ 14,724.93
Average Cost per Case per Month
1953
$ 61.61
1952
62.75
1951
61.61
Disability Assistance Town and Federal Funds
Federal Funds, January 1, 1953
$ 574.53
Federal Grants (15 Grants)
9,281.70
Refunds (Federal Funds)
307.92
Town Appropriation
15,500.00
Total Funds Available
$ 25,664.15
Funds Expended
24,125.26
Balance
$ 1,538.89
Average Cost per Case per Month
1953
$ 102.23
Apportionment of Funds
Federal Share
$
9,281.70
State Share 9,120.92
Town Share 7,457.49
35
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN Funds Available Town and Federal Funds
Federal Funds on hand, January 1, 1953
$ 3,051.22
Federal Grants, 1952
11,624.30
Refunds (Federal)
248.54
Town Appropriation
19,000.00
Total Funds Available
$ 33,924.06
Funds Expended
29,023.11
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 4,900.95
Average Cost per Case per Month
1953
$ 118.46
1952
132.95
1951
119.19
Apportionment of Funds
Federal Share
$ 11,624.30
State Share
9,555.57
Town Share
7,342.04
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE Funds Available Town and Federal Funds
Federal Funds on hand, January 1, 1953
$ 14,908.68
Federal Grants (12 in 1953)
122,180.82
Refunds (Federal)
1,328.27
Town Appropriation (Initial)
166,000.00
Town Appropriation (Special Town Meeting, 11/30/53)
13,000.00
Total Funds Available
$317,417.77
Amount forwarded-Total Funds Available
$317,417.77
Funds Expended-payrolls Other Cities and Towns
$305,502.31
4,923.56
$310,425.87
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 6,991.90
Average Cost per Case per Month
1953
$ 79.43
1952
77.26
1951
68.12
Apportionment of Funds
Federal Share
$122,180.82
State Share
129,342.10
Town Share
46,362.08
36
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
TOWN HOME Administration
Appropriation (Salaries)
$
3,702.15
Expended (Salaries)
3,702.15
Balance
None
Appropriation (Retirement)
$ 941.70
Expended (Retirement)
941.70
Balance
None
Other Expenses
Appropriation
$ 9,900.00
Expended
9,897.30
Balance
$ 2.70
Case Load
14 inmates in home for entire year
5,110 Man Days
8 inmates in home intermittently
1,413 Man Days
6,523
Gross Cost per Day $ 2.317
Net Cost per Day
$ 1.875
Gross Cost per Week
16.22
Net Cost per Day 13.12
Gross Cost per Man Day
Net Cost per Man Day
1953 $ 2.32
1953
$ 1.88
1952
2.30
1952
1.97
1951
2.49
1951
2.34
1953 Operating Expenses
Administration (Salaries plus Retirement)
$ 4,643.85
Other Expenses
9,897.30
Value of Farm Produce Used
100.00
Value of Surplus Commodities
225.00
Inventory of Goods on hand, January 1, 1953
250.00
Gross Cost
$ 15,116.15
Money paid by Inmates
$ 1,803.00
Money paid by Other Cities and Towns
881.97
Inventory of Goods on hand, Jan. 1, 1954
200.00
2,884.97
Net Cost
$ 12,231.18
Willard Donnell Trust Fund
To the Wakefield Trust Company, a Massachusetts Corporation, having 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 of 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
37
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Town of Wakefield, and especially for the payment of hospital charges of the inhabitants of the Town of Wakefield as are themselves finan- cially 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 ac- cumulations thereon to said Town of Wakefield, to be held by said Town, and the income only to be used for the benefits 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, 1953 $ 352.66
Dividends
182.15
Funds Available
534.81
Expended
232.45
Balance on hand, Jan. 1, 1954
$ 302.36
Report of Compensation Agent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
There were four continuing compensation cases in 1953, requiring attention and an expenditure of $394.25.
COMPENSATION ACCOUNT
Appropriation for 1953
$ 50.00
Reserve Fund
350.00
Total
400.00
Spent for 1953
394.25
Balance
$
5.75
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK A. TREDINNICK,
Compensation Agent
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Veterans' Benefits and Services
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Veterans' Benefits and Services Department submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1953. Because there have been no disallowments from the State office this year, the Town of Wakefield will be reimbursed one-half of all amounts expended under recipients appropriation.
Recipients Expenses
$ 29,857.35
Number of Recipients Aided
74 Cases
Medical Cases aided
49 Cases
Fuel Cases aided
28 Cases
Veterans' Services
Veterans' Bonus applications
236
Pension and Compensation cases
31
Hospitalization
4
Dental and Medical Outpatient
13
Burial Benefits
2
Headstone and Markers
4
Gold Star Pin applications
3
Housing
21
Insurance
58
Education
63
Tax Abatement
16
Mustering Out Payment
4
On-the-job training
26
Employment requests
18
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Selectmen for their co-operation and to Mr. Thomas Ackerson, as Selectmen's repre- sentative, my deep appreciation of his continuous and intelligent inter- est in the functions of our department.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. McGRAIL,
Veterans' Agent
Veterans' Services Director
39
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Recreation Commission
The Recreation Committee program for 1953 was the most success- ful to date. Attendance figures indicated that all records were broken with an increase of thirty per cent over the previous year. The Colonel Edward J. Connelly Recreation Area was opened and proved to be very popular with young children and their mothers. The John J. Round playground showed a distinct increase in popularity.
The 1953 Little League program shows that this feature is the most popular. We face the problem of providing playing fields for this group and to try to provide fields for the pony league of four teams, and for teen agers. We are recommending the construction of new Little League field on Town Farm property. The town is, perhaps, the most recrea- tion-minded town in the Commonwealth.
Plans for providing recreation facilities for all interested are pro- gressing in keeping with our economy. The Recreation Committee bases its program on providing for the hundreds of normal youths in our com- munity. Instead of carrying on a campaign against juvenile delin- quency, we prefer to promote a program for juvenile superiority. We provide a schedule of events under capable leadership. This schedule is carried out in order to provide the youngsters with good direction, good example and good companionship. The few who might be in- clined to get out of line generally profit by their association with normal youngsters.
The Montrose section of the town is growing rapidly. We shall rec- ommend that the next play area be built in this section. Steps in this direction should be taken soon before available vacant area is disposed of. The area should be located so as to provide playing facilities for the children of the Harris M. Dolbeare School during the school season and during vacation time. This joint use would be the most economical for the town.
All towns and cities are planning an expansion of recreation pro- grams. This expansion includes providing areas for winter activities. It is the purpose of this committee to go along with this type of plan- ning, having in mind the economy of the town. The days of swinging on birches have passed. Your committee is proceeding on the basis of providing play areas for the children of the town wherever they may be. We are convinced that this type of planning will return the choic- est form of dividends.
EUGENE J. SULLIVAN, Chairman EDNA MAE PAULSON, Secretary DR. PHILIP L. MCAULIFFE RICHARD J. SCANLON DONALD G. DAY NICHOLAS P. MAURIELLO AVIS M. BLANCHARD
-
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Board of Public Works
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
Work planned for in the 1953 budget has been substantially com- pleted. Eight streets are within ninety per cent of completion and practically all sewer construction was completed.
Both sand filters at the Broadway Pumping Station were brought up to grade with a special sand obtained from the U. S. Department of Conservation at Plum Island. This will not have to be done again for six or seven years.
Relaying of old water mains has progressed to a point where it is expected to be substantially completed within the next two years.
The screens over both intake pipes at the main pumping station have been repaired after a period of about fifteen years.
We are recommending a stand-by plant, Diesel powered, for the Broadway Pumping Station. This is the same request as in previous years.
There have been numerous requests for lateral sewers as recom- mended by the Board of Health which have been constructed as funds have been made available by vote of Town Meeting.
There have been eight layouts of new streets approved by the Board of Survey.
The Board of Public Works is quite concerned about private busi- ness and individuals putting snow on the public highways and recom- mend that the town consider enacting a by-law to prohibit this pro- cedure.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Director of Public Works and the other employees of the department for their co-operation.
For further details of the work of the various departments, please . refer to the Report of the Director of Public Works.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN N. BILL SABATINO BENEDETTO SIDNEY F. ADAMS Board of Public Works
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
December 31, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Public Works
Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Public Works has been in operation approximately three years and the consolidation of departments has worked to the advantage of the Town as a whole. This year the coordination of activities of the vari- ous departments has resulted in economy of operation.
41
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
During the year 1953 the Public Works Department has been called upon to undertake a large volume of construction and reconstruction work. This was due primarily to the demand for sewer and street con- struction, replacement of old metal and concrete water mains, extensive drainage work, replacement of old sidewalks, new sidewalks, including curb, replacement of concrete curb and a large number of water and sewer services. General maintenance work was continued as far as time and available labor would permit.
The new meter testing machine received in January 1953 has proved to be a very worthwhile investment. However, we will not realize the full benefit from this equipment until a meter truck is available so that a real meter program may be put into operation. A truck for this work is to be requested again in 1954.
It is a well known fact that water meters tend to register slow after a period of years and consequently do not show the correct amount of water consumed. It is planned to have two men assigned to this work to carry out the above program.
We are in need of the following new equipment:
It is planned to request replacement of the 1947 rubbish truck.
A combination mist sprayer and hydraulic sprayer will be requested for the Moth & Tree Division to replace obsolete equipment and spray- ing by helicopter.
A sewer cleaning machine in lieu of hand labor with ropes and brushes.
One new plow to replace outdated equipment.
Two sand spreaders are also on the list to replace inadequate equip- ment.
One salt spreader to supplement the one now in operation to give more rapid coverage of the town.
For your information I am submitting reports of the various divi- sions of the Public Works Department which are as follows:
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division furnished all on the job engineering re- quired for the construction of drains, sewers, streets and sidewalks done by the various other divisions.
Extensive drainage studies were made of the Wakefield Brook, Madi- son Avenue and Brook Street drainage areas. Drainage systems were designed to correct these problems. Other smaller projects such as Pine Hill Circle, Cordis Street, Preston Street and Greenwood Street were engineered by this division.
Contract plans and specifications were prepared and construction supervision supplied for sewers constructed by Richard White & Sons, Inc .; serving North Avenue and Elm Crest Road areas comprising four- teen streets and easements containing 9,170 feet of 8 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch pipe.
Estimates, contract plans, specifications, acceptance hearings and supervision was supplied for the construction by S. Rotondi and Sons of eight streets as follows: Western Avenue, Pine Hill Circle Extension,
42
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Eunice Circle, Friend Street, Muriel Avenue, Pleasant Street Extension, Harrison Avenue and Grafton Street. These streets were started late as money was not available until the end of July and consequently they are only ninety per cent completed at this time. This work is expected to be finished early in the Spring.
A field house for the Col. Edward J. Connelly Park at the northerly end of Lake Quannapowitt was designed by the Engineering Division and built under contract by Charles Cardillo.
Requests for sidewalks and curbing were received and detailed esti- mates prepared and work was done under contract by J. J. Donovan Construction Company.
The engineers have also been called upon to furnish street lines, street numbers and make many miscellaneous engineering studies; as well as doing all the engineering in connection with drainage, sewer and street work which is being considered for the 1954 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.
The Engineering Division has had five men except for a four month period when there were four men. This number of men appears to be about right to adequately take care of the town's engineering. These men are necessary to continue the planning, designing and construction supervision of work currently being done or planned by the department as well as gaining on the tremendous back load of necessary engineering work which has piled up over previous years, especially with regard to street lines, as in some locations in Wakefield it is almost impossible to correctly locate street lines without making extensive surveys of whole blocks.
It is expected that the Engineering Division will continue, with the exception of special cases involving intricate design, to furnish all the engineering required by the Public Works Department.
MOTH and TREE DIVISION
During the year 1953 we removed ninety-one trees in the town. Some of these trees were killed by gas, others were in a dangerous con- dition; and fifty-two had Dutch Elm Disease. In an effort to combat this disease, and save our elms on the Park and Common, we sprayed by helicopter.
We planted one hundred and fifty young trees, grown in our nurs- ery, on new and various streets throughout the town.
Gypsy Moth, Tent Caterpillars and Japanese Beetles have increased in many areas.
We sprayed the Park and Veterans Field for mosquitoes. This spray- ing is not too effective with our present equipment. This spray should be very fine, and because we have to depend upon the wind to carry it into some of the places much time and material is wasted.
We would like the co-operation of all property owners with dead or dying trees or freshly cut elm wood. Please destroy or put this wood under cover, as the bark beetles are the carriers of the Dutch Elm Dis- ease and hibernate in dead and dying elm wood.
43
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
PARK and CEMETERY DIVISION
The maintenance of the Park and Playgrounds was accomplished more efficiently this year due primarily to the acquisition of our new large power mower. We have endeavored to keep the parks beautified with new plantings at various seasons of the year. The park benches have been painted and new ones added where necessary. It is planned to request the purchase in 1954 of an aerifier to improve soil structure on compacted areas, particularly in locations where the grassed areas have become very hard, such as in the vicinity of the bandstand on the Common.
The bathhouse had an average attendance of about 200 bathers and swimmers. The local chapter of the American Red Cross conducted classes in waterfront safety which were well attended.
The annual town meeting appropriated $1,000.00 for the develop- ment of the Hall Park. This money was spent for excavation, drainage and graveling the parking area of the project.
Money was appropriated in 1953 for the construction of a Field House on the Colonel Edward J. Connelly Park at the head of Lake Quannapowitt. Upon completion of the toilet facilities the beach was opened for the use of the citizens of Wakefield. Attendance here was excellent. The supervision of the playground was taken care of by the Recreation Commission.
Flood lights were installed at the Plaque on the Common in co- operation with the Municipal Light Department. These lights added considerably to the attractiveness of the area during the evening hours.
Fencing and backstops were installed at the Nasella, Mapleway and Moulton Playgrounds. These additional facilities added greatly to the popularity of the playgrounds, particularly to the younger people inter- ested in Little League Baseball.
The Park Division has endeavored to co-operate with all organiza- tions using the parks and playgrounds. The various baseball leagues, the West Side Social Club, the Hartshorne Association, the Garden Club and others have all benefited by this co-operation.
Forest Glade Cemetery had a year that was marked by further growth and development. Surplus fill from Main Street construction was hauled to the premises and used for the building of a central avenue into the Cemetery. Approximately 5300 cubic yards of this material was trucked in at a cost of 12 cents per yard, a price far below the cost of any similar material. The subgrade of this and several lateral ave- nues can be completed in 1954 if more fill of this nature can be pur- chased.
A single grave section was completed in 1953. Sufficient areas will be available to meet the growing demand for lots and graves, if this de- veloping program can be followed consistently.
44
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The following is a summary of work other than our regular main- tenance :
Interments
Adults 57
Children
5
Stillborn 11
-
Total
73
Foundations for monuments installed 32
WATER DIVISION
WATER CONSTRUCTION
Woodcrest Drive, 1965 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from Vernon Street westerly, then Northerly and Easterly to Vernon Street.
Muriel Avenue and Nelson Avenue, 34 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from a point opposite No. 23 Muriel Avenue, southerly on Nelson Avenue to dead end.
Marla Lane, 32 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from a point opposite No. 497 Lowell Street northerly on Marla Lane to plugged pipe.
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