USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1954 > Part 3
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Employment secured by client 5
Closed as result of request from client 2
Eligibility discontinued-no dependent children 2
Disability Assistance
As was expected, the number of persons aided increased during the year in this program and we used up our estimated budget. This pro- gram should not increase materially in numbers but cost per case will continue high as most clients are in hospitals or nursing homes. We aided 27 cases during the year and closed 4 cases for the following reasons:
Case transferred to OAA; client became 65 years of age 2 Admitted to Monson State Hospital 1
By death 1
Old Age Assistance
Once again the impact of increased Federal Social Security Benefits was felt toward the end of the year. A further increase of approxi- mately five dollars per person per month was granted to over one hun- dred persons also receiving Old Age Assistance. As a result of this in- crease we closed ten cases insofar as maintenance was concerned and now pay only their medical bills.
We added forty-five cases during the year and closed forty-two cases for the following reasons:
By death 26
Client no longer a resident of Massachusetts 2
Client no longer a resident of this community 7
Closed by children's request 1
31
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
Employment secured Children contributing Social Security has absorbed need Admitted to State Hospital
2
2
1
1
Financial Statement - 1954
Category
Income
Expenditures $ 31,310.85
Disability Assistance
State
$ 12,677.19
Federal
9,845.46
Refunds
47.65
Aid to Dependent Children
$ 25,516.37
State
$ 8,228.06
Federal
10,499.23
Refunds
494.38
Old Age Assistance-Recipients
$337,398.03
Other Cities and Towns
$ 5,765.73
6,290.65
State
136,168.44
Federal
132,321.81
Refunds
1,856.00
General Relief
$ 21,855.28
Refunds
$ 543.90
Other Cities and Towns
2,659.69
State
2,644.86
Town Home
Salaries
$ 3,702.15
Retirement
941.70
Other
10,499.65
Boarders
$ 3,670.58
Town Home-Special Account
$ 11,250.00
Unpaid Bills-Prior Years
$ 2,157.00
Individuals
120.00
$327,422.98 $451,042.57 Expenditures 327,422.98 Income
$123,619.59 Town Share, or, 27.4%
ADMINISTRATION (All Categories)
Board Members
Town Funds Appropriation Expended
$ 690.00
690.00
Balance
None
32
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Office Employees (All Categories)
Town Funds Appropriation Expended
$ 13,510.00 13,510.00
Balance
None
Federal Funds
Federal Balance, 1953
$ 471.35
Federal Grants, 1954
11,551.43
Funds Available
$ 12,022.78
Expended
11,506.23
Balance
.$ 516.55
Recapitulation
Funds Available (Town and Federal Funds)
$ 26,222.78
Funds Expended (Town and Federal Funds)
25,706.23
Balance
$ 516.55
GENERAL RELIEF Unpaid Bills for Years Prior to 1954
Other Cities and Towns
Appropriation
$ 1,872.70
Balance from Prior Year
287.21
Funds Available
$ 2,159.91
Expended
$ 2,133.89
Balance
$ 6.02
Individual
Appropriation
$ 120.00
Expended
$ 120.00
Balance
None
Recipients
Appropriation
$ 21,500.00
Refunds (Cash and cancelled checks)
543.90
Funds Available
$ 22,043.90
Expended
$ 21,145.28
Balance
$ 898.62
Recapitulation
Funds Available
$ 24,323.81
Funds Expended
23,399.17
Balance
$ 924.64
33
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
1954 Case Load Distribution
Living in Wakefield with a Wakefield Settlement
No. of Cases 56
Amount
$ 15,897.29
Living in Wakefield with Unsettled Status
No. of Cases
Amount $ 2,644.86
Living in Other Cities and Towns with a Wakefield Settlement
No. of Cases Amount
Aided
10 $ 1,052.59
Living in Wakefield with settlement Elsewhere
No. of Cases 8 $ 2,659.69
Living under care of Division of Child Guardianship, having a Wakefield Settlement
Aided
No. of Cases 5
Amount $ 1,144.74
Recapitulation
Recipients with Wakefield Settlement
56
$ 15,897.29
Recipients with Unsettled Status
3
2,644.86
Recipients in Other Cities and Towns
10
1,052.59
Recipients with Settlement Elsewhere
8
2,659.69
Division of Child Guardianship Children
5
1,144.74
$ 21,145.28
Disability Assistance
Funds Available
Town Appropriation
$ 19,000.00
Federal Balance, January 1, 1954
1,741.79
Federal Grants (1954)
9,043.68
Refunds (Federal Funds)
47.65
$ 29,833.12
Expended
29,734.76
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 98.36
Source of 1954 Funds
(Based on Payrolls from 11/1/53 thru 10/31/54)
Federal
$ 9,043.68
State
12,276.30
Town
7,039.96
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Funds Available Town Appropriation Federal Balance, January 1, 1954
$ 15,000.00 4,900.95
Aided
Aided
3
Amount
Aided
34
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Federal Grants (1954)
Refunds (Federal Funds)
9,488.15 494.38
Funds Expended
$ 23,959.93
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 5,923.65
Source of 1954 Funds (Based on Payrolls from 11/1/53 thru 10/31/54)
Federal
$ 9,488.15
State
8,228.06
Town
6,505.97
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Funds Available
Town Appropriation
$203,000.00
Federal Balance, January 1, 1954
7,156.28
Federal Grants (1954)
122,583.24
Refunds (Federal Funds)
1,856.00
$334,595.52
Expended
$315,534.43
Other Cities and Towns
6,290.65
$321,825.08
Balance
$ 12,770.44
Source of 1954 Funds (Based on Payrolls from 11/1/53 thru 10/31/54)
Federal
$122,583.24
State
136,168.44
Town
50,108.93
TOWN HOME
Administration
Salaries Appropriation
$ 3,702.15
Expended
3,702.15
Balance
None
Retirement
Appropriation Expended
$ 941.70
941.70
None
Balance
$ 29,883.48
35
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
Other Expenses
Appropriation Expended
$ 10,500.00 10,499.65
Balance
.35
Case Load
13 Residents - full time
4,745 Man Days
8 Residents - intermittently
1,417 Man Days
6,162
Gross Cost per Week $ 18.13
Net Cost per Week 14.87
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 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. The 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 in- habitants as are in need of hospital care.
This trust fund started May 2, 1935 and expired May 2, 1954. Inso- far as the Board of Public Welfare is concerned the balance of this trust fund will be handled by the Board of Selectmen.
Balance on hand, January 1, 1954 $ 302.36 Dividends 236.49
Funds Available Expended
$ 538.85
Balance on hand, January 1, 1955
$ 538.85
36
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Compensation Agent
January 11, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the report of the Compensation Agent for the year 1954.
COMPENSATION ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$ 500.00
Pharmaceuticals
7.95
Compensation payments
276.00
Balance
Respectfully submitted, $ 216.05
FRANK A. TREDINNICK, Compensation Agent
Report of Veterans' Services and Benefits
January 20, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Veterans' Benefits and Services Department submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1954. 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 appropriations.
Recipients Expenses
$ 29,870.50
Number of Recipients Aided
79 Cases
Medical Cases Aided
38 Cases
Fuel Cases Aided
18 Cases
Veterans' Services
Veterans' Bonus Applications
175
Pension and Compensation Cases
40
Hospitalization
17
Dental and Medical Outpatient
22
Headstone and Markers
3
Housing
18
Insurance
45
Education
75
Tax Abatements
14
On-the-Job Training
33
Employment Requests
11
37
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Selectmen for their co-operation and continuous interest in the functions of this de- partment.
Respectfully submitted, RICHARD J. McGRAIL, Veterans' Agent Veterans' Services Director
Report of Personnel Board
January 12, 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Personnel Board herein submits its annual report to the Hon- orable Board of Selectmen for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Pursuant to the enactment of Chapter 17 of the Town By-Laws on November 1, 1953, the Moderator appointed the following members to serve as indicated:
William D. Scott and John L. Clark, to represent Town Employees for one year, or until an election could be held; and Thomas C. Hickey, John Carr and James Mulligan to serve as public members, respectively for one year, two years, and three years. At the first meeting, James K. Mulligan was elected to the office of Chairman, and John L. Clark as Clerk.
After organizing, the Board held twenty meetings during the year. Some of these meetings were held jointly with other town boards, and at many of these meetings, town officials appeared to discuss personnel problems.
Two legal questions have caused the Board concern, as follows:
1. The legal duties of the Board as they relate to pertinent enabling legislation.
2. The degree to which the Town By-Law affects employees of the Municipal Light Department.
An article intended to clarify the legal status of the Board will be submitted to the next Annual Town Meeting.
Wage and salary data concerning prevailing pay practices in compa- rable surrounding towns were obtained for the guidance of the Board. The Board believes that for some classes of town employees, there should be an upward revision of the salary and wage scales. Because of the uncertain legal status of the Board, and because it has had in- sufficient time for a complete study, the Board will not recommend gen- eral increases this year. Prevailing salary and wage rates will be studied intensively next year, and it now appears likely that a recommendation for upward revision may be made.
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Recommendations were also solicited and received from Town Boards and Departments concerning pay problems. Based upon this data and these recommendations, the Personnel Board has advised ap- propriate Town Officials concerning pay and personnel matters.
A personnel card record system has been initiated in accordance with the By-Law, to provide data for Board operations. The Board au- thorized the expenditure of $499.00 for clerk hire and other expenses during the year.
In conclusion, this Board wishes to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, all other Boards, Department Heads, and Employees for their co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
THE PERSONNEL BOARD JAMES K. MULLIGAN, Chairman JOHN CARR THOMAS C. HICKEY WILLIAM D. SCOTT JOHN L. CLARK, Clerk
Report of Recreation Commission
It is estimated that 2,000 friends and relatives viewed the "Demon- stration Day" exhibition at Veterans' Field under lights as the 1954 playground season ended.
With a background of scenery of bright colored see-saws, slides, swings, etc., of a playground the folk dancing classes of the playgrounds presented the pageant "Playground Frolics," which depicted the fun and activities, in dance, of a season at the playgrounds.
The backdrop for the arts and crafts program consisted of Walt Disney characters portraying "playground antics." Porky Pig, Donald Duck, Pluto and Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney family romped playfully over the panoramic scenery adding a note of colorful gaiety to the display.
Articles on display were: mail holders, clothes sprinklers, pot hold- ers, purses, bookmarks, felt belts, beanies, slippers, purses and gimp bracelets.
In the adult program a double-header was played by the four top teams in the softball league for men. At the same time the best two teams of the Pony League and the best teams of the two Little Leagues were playing at other areas.
In the afternoon at the Common championship games of playground teams in baseball, softball, dodge ball, volley ball and horseshoes were played.
At the new Maple Way courts the championships in tennis were de- cided and a silver cup was awarded to the best girl player, and to the - best boy player.
39
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
In the annual track and field championships held at Walton Field the events were - dashes, 440-yard run, shot put, high jump, running broad jump and relays for boys. The girls' events were: dashes, basket- ball throw, shot put, running broad jump and relay races.
Appropriate moving pictures were put on weekly for boys and girls under 12 years of age and drew an attendance of about 700 a week at the High School Auditorium and about 250 a week at the Greenwood Union Church Vestry.
A large attendance was recorded for the special contests held weekly on all playgrounds. They were relay races, athletic days, amateur shows, treasure hunts, peanut hunts, doll carriage and tricycle parades, horse- shoes, basketball, tennis, costume parades, pet shows, doll contests, hat shows, pitching contests, checker and domino tournaments, picnic lunches and "most" contests.
The play areas in use were: Colonel Edward J. Connelly, play area and swimming, - total attendance, play area 2787, swimming 34,021; Common 9931; Moulton 5260; Nasella 4385; Maple May 4290; Montrose School 3627; and J. J. Round 3405. The Lafayette Building was used for folk dancing rehearsals, and Walton Field for baseball and track.
Special instruction in folk-dancing was given at each playground at least once a week. Total attendance was 1635.
All playgrounds were visited at least once a week by the handicraft supervisor. Total attendance was 2503.
In the Little League baseball leagues there were 10 teams totalling 150 boys between 9 and 12 years of age. They played 207 games.
The Pony League was made up of 4 teams, totalling 60 players and playing 46 games.
In the Adult Softball League under lights at Veterans' Field there were 8 teams totalling 160 players, and playing 123 games.
Injuries were kept to a minimum. The play areas including the head-of-the-lake swimming area had reported 33 injuries. Most were of a minor nature. Two were serious, one, a girl hit by a thrown horse- shoe, requiring 4 stitches at a doctor's office, and the second was a boy who had to be hospitalized for an arm injury, while climbing a fence.
For next year in order to participate in outside league tournaments it is very urgent that Wakefield have built a regulation fenced-in Pony League field and also a regulation fenced-in Little League field.
EUGENE J. SULLIVAN, Chairman EDNA M. PAULSON, Secretary PATSY CARISELLA, Treasurer DONALD G. DAY NICHOLAS F. MAURIELLO
JOSEPH J. McMAHON JOSEPH J. CZARNOTA
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Capital Outlay Committee
The Wakefield Capital Outlay Committee was appointed by the Moderator after the Town Meeting of 1954, with the following mem- bers: Harry Marshall, chairman; John Kalaher, vice-chairman; Mary L. Tredinnick, secretary; John J. McCarthy, Maurice McGilvray, John W. Moccia, Robert G. Reed, R. Francis Shea and Kenneth W. Thomson.
The committee engaged the Boston University Institute of Munici- pal Research as consultants, and met regularly with the consultants in an endeavor to prepare a separate report to be presented to the Annual Town Meeting of 1955.
HARRY MARSHALL, Chairman
Report of Board of Public Works
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
During the year 1954 the Department was unable to complete all the work which had been planned for in the budget due to the two hurri- canes late in August and early September. Work was accomplished, in general, with Town labor and equipment with the exception of contracts that were awarded for the construction of Oak Street, rebuilding side- walks, new sidewalks and replacing of concrete curbing. A small amount of outside help was needed at the time of the hurricanes.
Building construction continued at a rapid rate and has been re- sponsible for a large number of sewer and water connections.
The Construction of Evergreen Street was held in abeyance awaiting the decision of the 1955 town meeting relative to the completion of the sewer in the street.
Relaying of old water mains was not completed as funds were not available for this work until late in August. We believe that the pro- gram of water main relaying should be continued and in all probability will be completed in the near future.
We are again recommending the installation of the new heating equipment and standby generator for the pumping station on Broadway.
The sewer survey, authorized at the April 26th Special Town Meet- ing has been completed by Camp, Dresser and McKee and the report is now on hand. Funds are being requested this year for a sewer study of the west side of town, Quannapowitt Avenue and North Avenue to the Reading line.
The Director has been in contact with the State relative to Legis- lation for lowering of the Saugus River which will help to improve drainage conditions in certain sections of the Town.
41
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
The Board of Public Works, acting as a Board of Survey, has ap- proved eight plans.
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 SIDNEY F. ADAMS SABATINO BENEDETTO Board of Public Works
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Honorable Board of Public Works Wakefield, Massachusetts
December 31, 1954
Gentlemen:
During the year 1954, the Public Works Department was called upon to do the usual amount of maintenance work which was carried out as far as available funds would permit. This work was further limited due to the two hurricanes which required that every available man be used to clear the streets and continue with the removal of trees that were hazardous to pedestrians and motor vehicles. This took several weeks for nearly all the men, who applied themselves diligently and worked week-ends and overtime to expedite this very necessary work.
Several special drainage jobs were done. However, there is much drainage work to be done in town. This is due primarily to the vast increase in building construction where every available piece of land is considered for housing. Water that was formerly dumped onto this land must eventually be diverted to street drains and connected with our drainage system which is in dire need of expansion.
There are two bills in the Legislature this year pertaining to the Saugus River; one is for an immediate appropriation to lower the river from the Saugus-Wakefield line, adjacent to Route 129, for a distance of about 4,000 feet into Saugus. This should result in lowering the water level several feet. The second bill is for funds for an engineering study of the Saugus River in Reading, Lynnfield, Wakefield and Saugus to determine what steps may be taken to further reduce the water table in Wakefield.
Very little sewer work was done in Wakefield this year due to the lack of engineering studies which have now been completed for the southeast section of town.
This study projects our sewer program well into the future. Results of this survey have shown the wisdom of the construction in the future of a pumping station in the Farm Street area as well as three ejector stations which will be needed to supplement our existing system and provide for sewering of all undeveloped areas in the southeast section of town. It is expected that some of the sewers that have been designed as a result of this study will be built this year if Town Meeting so votes.
It is anticipated that additional funds will be required in 1955 for
42
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
an engineering survey of the business area adjacent to North Avenue and Route 128 as well as for the unsewered sections of the west side of town.
The new pieces of equipment that were acquired this year in various departments have helped expedite various work programs. The body type salt spreader we purchased has proved most satisfactory and we will request another this year which could be used to good advantage. We should also have another salt spreader to supplement the one we have had for the past few years.
There are several pieces of equipment that should be replaced, as they have almost outlived their usefulness, among them are:
One 5 ton dump truck and one 2 ton dump truck; one Elgin street sweeper; 2 street rollers; one 5-8 ton and one 10-14 ton; two 11 foot snow plow blades. There are several other pieces of a minor nature that it is hoped may be purchased.
For your information I am submitting reports of the various divi- sions of the Public Works Department which are as follows:
ENGINEERING DIVISION
During 1954 the Engineering Division furnished all the customary services that it was called upon to perform. These included furnishing street lines and house numbers and engineering all the work carried on by the various divisions in the department.
In addition, detailed estimates and contract plans were supplied for the construction of a portion of Oak Street, and supervision was sup- plied when the road was being constructed by S. Rotondi & Sons. This work was not completed due to the advent of cold weather but a short period in the spring will end construction.
The requests for sidewalks and curbs that were received during the year were correlated and estimates and plans were prepared. The con- tract for the work was awarded to the J. J. Donovan Construction Com- pany and the greatest part of the work was completed under supervi- sion from this division. The work that was planned and not completed because of weather conditions will be included in the plans for 1955.
The bulk of work done during the past year has been the drainage studies necessitated by the development of new areas in the town. These include studies of the Bear Hill area, the Cordis and Vernon Street area -including work done on the swamp area bordering the B. & M. tracks at Lowell Street, the Linden Street area and the drainage problem at Albion Street and Mountain Avenue. Hurricane damage brought into focus the necessity for further study of the Wakefield Brook, and this work is being carried on at the present time.
Parking has also been one of the main concerns of the Engineering Division during the past year, and studies have been made on the pro- posed widening of North Avenue, and the new parking areas near Rich- ardson Street and on Commercial Street. Each of these studies con- sisted of drainage proposals, estimates of construction, and feasibility of application. These will continue until the most practical and least ex- pensive solution can be reached.
43
143RD ANNUAL REPORT
Early in the year the Engineering Division lost the services of one man and for a period of three months, carried on with a force of three men. One man was added in June and in October, F. Manning Harts- horne retired as Senior Engineer. The division is at the present time operating with three men, and it is hoped that one more man can be added to the staff. This additional man would be used to bring up to date the plans and record drawings that are vital to the efficient opera- tion of the department.
MOTH & TREE DIVISION
During the year we lost four hundred trees due to the hurricanes and Dutch Elm Disease. Many more will have to be taken down due to the hurricane damage.
We planted one hundred and forty-eight maples, grown in our nursery, on new and various streets throughout the town.
We have about ten thousand trees under our care and five or six thousand have been injured. These trees will need care. This will take a long time as we have only four men in this Division.
Dutch Elm Disease has increased all over the state. We lost sixty- two trees this year; five on the Park and Common, five in the Church Street Cemetery and others throughout the town.
Gypsy Moth, Tent Caterpillars and Japanese Beetles have increased in many areas.
With our new Mist Blower we were able to spray many of our elm trees twice and some of our swamps were sprayed for mosquitoes.
PARK & CEMETERY DIVISION
The near record rainfall during the 1954 season made our grass control program an ever pressing problem. In addition to our usual Park and Playground areas the maintenance of street plots was given to this division. Supplementing rotary mowers with our large reel type machines enabled us to keep a reasonable cutting schedule. Playgrounds:
This year the playground areas were used by more children than ever before. Little League, Pony League and regular baseball had our diamonds occupied the full season. With this activity maintenance was required every day to keep the diamonds in condition.
The playing of tennis at Maple Way has been stimulated by a new hot top surface on the courts. A new backstop of chain link fencing was also erected on this site. At Nasella Playground a chain link fence was installed to prevent children from wandering on to adjoining property.
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