USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1955 > Part 2
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All these officers have had revolver instruction on the police depart- ment range under the able leadership of Instructors Maurice Lenfest, Vincent Carli, James Benson, John Fazio, Robert Kimball and James Buckle, all of whom are known to be experts in the use of firearms. There are, at the present time, three revolver teams made up of aux- iliary officers entered in the New England Police Revolver League, and these teams hold competitive matches with auxiliary police teams of other police departments.
All the auxiliary officers have taken the Standard First Aid Course and several of these officers are qualified First Aid Instructors. During the past year, the auxiliary officers have been used in directing traffic, at the bathing beach and on the park and common, as well as assisting regular officers on May 30th, over the July 4th celebration, on Hallowe'en night and on other occasions when needed.
These officers have worked a total of 2,561 hours of police work with- out any cost to the town. If it had been necessary to hire reserve offi- cers to do this amount of work, it would have cost the town $3,585.40. I strongly recommend that the sum of money requested in the Civil De- fense Budget for police uniforms and equipment for the auxiliary police be appropriated in order that these men may be properly equipped for any emergency. The auxiliary officers do not get paid for their work so they should not be expected to buy their own uniforms and equipment.
To all members of the Auxiliary Department, who have shown a keen interest in their work and have attended semi-monthly meetings regu- larly, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their efforts and time. I sincerely trust that this organization will continue to function during the coming year with the same spirit it has shown in the past. My sin- cere thanks also go to Patrolman William R. Connors and Sergeant John M. Wenzel for the many hours of overtime and the extra work they have put in to keep this auxiliary organization trained and ready for any emergency, and for fostering a spirit of willingness to be of assist- ance at any time the organization is called upon to help out. I am also grateful to Mr. Lenfest, James Buckle, James Benson, John Fazio, Vin- cent Carli and Robert Kimball for the time they have devoted to in- structing these officers in the use of firearms; also, my thanks to James Hurton, Director of Civil Defense, for his co-operation.
18
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
CONCLUSION
In closing this report, I want to extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen my sincere thanks for its efforts in the interest of the de- partment and for its co-operation at all times during the past year; to the Selectmen Committee on Police, Miss Catherine Simpson and Mr. Thomas W. Ackerson, my thanks for their co-operation and assistance during the past year on all matters pertaining to the Police Department; to all Town Departments, the Wakefield Daily Item and its Police Re- porter, Mr. Richard W. Baker, and to all citizens and organizations who have assisted the department in various ways, I extend my thanks for their valuable service.
To the Lieutenant, the Sergeants and all members of this depart- ment, to my secretary, Mrs. Esther Ball, and to the custodian of the sta- tion, 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
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Chief of Fire Department
During the year this department has responded to 734 alarms, which are divided as follows: 173 Box Alarms and 561 Still Alarms.
Estimate of Property Endangered 366,749.31
Insurance on Property Endangered
548,650.00
Loss on Property
93,932.67
Insurance Paid on Loss
79,932.67
Transit Value
41,600.00
Transit Loss
7,758.70
On May 7, 1955 a Civil Service examination was held to fill the va- cany of the office of Chief of the Department. As a result of this exam- ination the Board of Selectmen appointed Lieutenant William P. Hurton as Chief on August 2, 1955.
During the year a 750 gallon pump and an 85 foot American La- France ladder truck were put in service. These pieces of apparatus were purchased in 1954 and constituted in part a replacement of old apparatus.
Money was appropriated at a special town meeting to repair old Engine 5 which was in a wreck. This piece was repaired at about half the cost of a new piece to replace it. The truck was delivered in Decem- ber and put in service as of January 1, 1956.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM P. HURTON Chief of Fire Department
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
During the year there was a total of 174 woods and grass fires.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF WILLIAM P. HURTON Deputy Forest Warden
20
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Building Inspector
-
January 4, 1956
Building permits granted
343
Sets of plans for new houses, schools, alterations, and additions approved
370
Building inspections made
1,834
Inspections made with State Inspector
35
Buildings condemned
3
Inspections with Fire Chief
47
Inspections with State Fire Marshal's Office
5
Complaints investigated
182
Complaints investigated regarding Zoning By-Laws
147
Violations of Zoning Laws checked
64
Public halls inspected
1
Circus and carnival inspections
2
Lodging houses inspected
6
Shingle permits issued
26
Sidewalk permits issued
26
Fire escapes inspected
15
Sign inspections
37
Notices posted on dangerous and unsafe buildings
3
Insulation condemned as dangerous
1
Fire inspections
29
Buildings razed
21
Buildings moved
1
Convalescent homes inspected
6
Permits refused
31
Chimneys condemned
1
Miles driven
5,332
Board of Appeal hearings attended
31
Calls received at home before and after hours
412
Elevators inspected
23
Total valuation of permits granted
$1,636,845.00
Permit fees received
$972.00
PERMIT VALUATIONS FOR PAST SIX YEARS
1950
$2,368,580.00
1953
2,629,161.00
1951
1,464,545.00
1954
2,310,200.00
1952
2,012,544.00
1955
1,636,845.00
Respectfully submitted, FRANK A. TREDINNICK
Building Inspector
21
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Wire Inspector
-
January 20, 1956
Permits granted
919
Temporary service permits
64
Inspections made
1,330
Inspections approved
899
Temporary approvals (houses under construction)
193
Installations not passing inspection
29
Installations rejected, corrected and passed
29
Wiring without obtaining permits
79
Permits refused
2
Changes in service (two to three wire)
83
Notified for non-payment of fees
80
Inspections of Convalescent Homes
3
Inspections of Public Schools
8
Public buildings inspected
4
Meetings on job with electricians
79
Property owners notified to make wiring changes
2
Inspections with Fire Chief
4
Inspections with Fire Marshal's office
3
Fees collected Jan. 1, 1955 to Dec. 31, 1955 and
$1,166.00
deposited in Wakefield Trust Co.
In this report, I would like to express my appreciation for the co- operation extended this department by Michael Collins, Manager of the Municipal Light Dept., Frank Tredinnick, Building Inspector, and Chief William Hurton of the Wakefield Fire Dept.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. CURRAN
Wire Inspector
22
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Plumbing Inspector
Number of permits issued
364 1,681
Number of fixtures installed
Oil Burner Storage-Hot Water Heaters
1
Gas Storage-Hot Water Heaters
41
Electric Storage-Hot Water Heaters
28
Hot Water Tanks
22
Tankless Heaters
148
Water Closets
299
Lavatories
285
Bath Tubs
220
Showers
19
Urinals
1
Sinks
236
Laundry Trays
87
Disposals
4
Dish Washing Machines
3
Washing Machines
44
Traps
7
Bubblers
3
Air Condition Units
1
Dental Chair
1
Drains
2
Repiping
1
Soil Pipe
1
Sewer Connections
110
Cesspools
116
Soda Fountain
1
Fees for Permits
$ 1,149.00
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH G. SHAW
Inspector of Plumbin
23
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Dog Officer
I herewith submit my annual report of the duties performed by me as dog officer.
Answered eleven hundred sixty (1160) telephone calls.
Canvassed town twice for unlicensed dogs.
Two hundred eight (208) were picked up.
One hundred twenty-eight (128) were returned.
Eighty (80) were humanely disposed of.
One hundred two (102) stray cats were picked up.
Nine (9) were returned to their rightful owners.
Ninety-three (93) were humanely disposed of.
One hundred fifty-five (155) dead animals were picked up on the highways.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HOPKINS
Dog Officer
Report of Animal Inspector
-
Ninety-four (94) animals were quarantined as a precautionary measure against rabies.
Two (2) animals died while under quarantine and were taken to the Wasserman Laboratory for further examination. (It proved negative).
There were no cases of rabies in Wakefield during 1955.
All cattle and their quarters were inspected and found to be in sat- isfactory condition.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HOPKINS
Animal Inspector
24
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
Adjusted Sealed
Condemned
Scales over 10,000 lbs.
6
1
Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.
3
34
Scales under 100 lbs.
19
137
2
Weights
358
Linear measures
10
Gasoline pumps
4
82
2
Vehicle truck meters
21
44
1
Bulk storage meters
8
Leather measures
1
Cloth measures
2
47
682
6
Reweighs on meats and vegetables-457
Fees collected-$431.90
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. DEVLIN
Sealer
25
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Director of Civil Defense
This Department was organized pursuant to directives issued by the Governor of Massachusetts and Chapter 639 General Laws of Massa- chusetts.
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.
Our active groups are now well experienced in disaster work. In previous years they saw service in tornado and hurricane disasters and this year they witnessed and took part in the controlling and repairing havoc wrought by floods. This devastation presented to these groups conditions similar to that of war torn areas. That is homes destroyed, people killed and injured, provision of emergency hospitals and homes, and general welfare of people in affected areas.
On the local scene our groups are being called upon in an increas- ing number of emergencies. The amount appropriated at the last Town Meeting was insufficient to carry us through the year but private dona- tions supplied enough to keep us in operation.
The Auxiliary Police donated 2,561 hours for which service the Town would have had to hire additional police at a cost of $3,534.18. The Auxiliary Fire Department has been called to service by the Fire Chief on many occasions to supply additional manpower during emer- gency conditions.
Our communications group donating not only their time but also their own personal equipment, cars and homes have been functioning satisfactorily. Our Warden group, while small, is becoming effective as well as our medical groups.
The forthcoming year will stress evacuation which can only be suc- cessful by the completion of an air raid siren system, local communi- cations control system and public cooperation.
We wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Thomas W. Ackerson the Board's representative, and all other Town Agencies which contributed their time and efforts to making this past year a successful one. Our Daily Item which has always been most cooperative is to a large degree responsible for our success.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. HURTON
Director of Civil Defense
26
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Board of Health
The beginning of the year showed a definite increase in the number of cases of measles and at one time the reported cases in the State of Massachusetts reached the highest figure in the history of the state. Middlesex County area reported the greatest amount of cases. The de- crease began in this community during the later part of February.
In March the Board of Health voted to give the Salk Vaccine (polio) inoculations to the first and second grade pupils. The National Polio Foundation supplied the vaccine. Parental request forms were dis- tributed to parents during the following months. The first clinic, with volunteer local physicians, nurses, clerical and clinic assistants, began on May 23. Dr. Sigmund Szydlowski, M.D., school physician in coopera- tion with the Board of Health, supervised the program. Three make-up clinics were held and a total of 881 children received the first Salk Vac- cine inoculation.
This year showed the highest prevalence of Poliomyelitis in over a period of 30 years. Of the 22 reported cases, 16 were hospitalized, 5 were non-paralytic, 14 were paralytic and 3 were acute bulbar and spinal paralytic. There were no deaths but many of the paralytic cases re- quire long periods of hospitalization and therapy. Under the direction of the State Department of Public Health, local boards of health were issued Gamma Globulin for administration, by private physicians, to all contacts of clinically diagnosed cases of poliomyelitis who are still in the incubation period. Our local board received 5,000 c.c. of the Gamma Globulin and dispensed a total of 1,700 c.c. to physicians. A total of 80 contacts received "shots."
Mrs. Shirley Stoddart, R.N., joined the nursing staff in August and with the other public health nurse, Mrs. Ernestine Nardone, R.N., the Salk Vaccine clinics and special study on the effectiveness of the Salk Vaccine Program were completed. Pre-school immunization clinics for prevention of diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus were held. This year a program to immunize high school students against diphtheria was initiated.
The Tuberculosis Case Register at the beginning of the year showed a case load of 32 patients. During the year there were 9 new reported cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 1 re-active and 2 cases moving in from other towns. Four cases moved away and as of December 31, 1955 the case load has increased to 40. Of this total, 7 patients are hospitalized. Patients are being discharged at a much earlier date due to their being able to have chemotherapy at home under their physician's guidance and supervision of the public health nurses.
27
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
The following is an abbreviated summary of field trips, nursing serv- ices and investigations made by the public health nurses.
Nursing visits to tuberculosis patients and contacts
63
Office visits of patients and contacts
15
Number of trips to sanatoriums for X-rays 30
Number of trips to sanatoriums for admissions
4
Number of contacts of tuberculosis patients X-rayed
70
Number of case register patients X-rayed
35
All others X-rayed
22
Patients hospitalized during the year
14
Sputum analysis
3
Skin tests read
13
Scarlet fever home visits
13
Poliomyelitis home visits
21
Trips for distribution of gamma globulin
16
Premature baby investigations
4
Unsanitary conditions, food poisoning, etc. investigated
10
Kindergartens supervised
4
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT DUTTON, M.D., Chairman
ROBERT G. REED, Secretary
EVAN FAIRBANKS
Report of Board of Public Welfare
In general, public assistance in Wakefield followed rather closely to the State wide pattern. In Massachusetts the welfare cases are dwindl- ing, but rising costs have wiped out any possible savings to the tax payer. In 1955 even with a declining case load we broke about even with 1954 expenditures. It is indicated that a further increase in 1956 is expected in hospital rates and medical costs as the State Commission on hospital costs has been making adjustments in the per diem where it can be shown that the state is paying less than actual hospital costs for pa- tients. Total expenditures for all relief in Wakefield, including Town Home and Administration amounted to $438,523.71. We had returned from all sources $329,057.10 which left a net cost of $109,604.90, or 25% of total expended.
No recoveries were made during 1955 insofar as the Old Age Assist- ance lien law is concerned as there were no cases closed of those owning property.
28
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
General Relief
We have had only 9 or 10 full time, single unit cases in this program. In addition, we aided a few medically indigent, and supplemented fam- ilies occasionally when there was an interruption of income due to illness of the wage earner. The high point of employment existing throughout the year allowed us to live well within the appropriation and finish the year with a balance.
Aid to Dependent Children
This program levelled off and, while we had estimated an average case load of 16, we ranged from 13 to 15. We added 9 cases to the rolls and closed 9 for the following reasons:
Moved from community 3
Husband now supporting family 3
Employment secured by client 2
Closed as result of request from client 1
Disability Assistance
This is the one program which has shown an increase in Wakefield as well as in the entire State. As the program is being interpreted, some cases are being aided if it is felt that either medical or vocational rehabilitation will result in a person's return to employment. The aver- age grant is higher than in other categories because of the type of care required, i.e., nursing homes and hospitals. We added 12 cases during the year. Four of these came on in the latter part of the year as a re- sult of closing the Town Home with these cases being transferred to this category.
By death
3
Became self-supporting 2
Continued eligibility not established 1
Employment secured 1
Old Age Assistance
For another year a still further drop in case load developed. Start- ing the year with 320, we reduced the rolls to 295 at the end of the year. This, we believe, is due to the increased benefits from those now retiring under Social Security, the restricting influence of the property lien law and the fact that many persons are working at an older age than previ- ously. It is interesting to note that while the State will have received about two and one-half million in 1955 from the lien law, that increased grants in 1956 will offset this return. The 1955 Legislature granted a $2.50 travel allowance to all Old Age Assistance recipients, starting in January 1956, which will cost about two and one-half million through- out the State. The added gross cost in Wakefield will be about $9,000. Again, we show in Wakefield a high average age of our Old Age Assist- ance clients. A survey in November 1955 showed that of 299 cases being aided, that 107 were age 80 or over, 52 cases were age 85 or over, and 16 cases were age 90 or over. The average age was 78.49 as compared with 74.8 in 1950.
29
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
We aided 31 cases during the year and closed 56 cases for the fol- lowing reasons:
By death
43
Closed by children's request
1
Closed to comply with client's request 1
Admitted to State Hospital 1
Client received accident settlement
1
Client received inheritance 1
Client secured employment
1
Client no longer a resident of this community 5
Client no longer a resident of Massachusetts
2
Of 300 cases aided during 1955, 39 have settlement in other cities and towns and 51 have no settlement. This means that in 30% of our total case load we are reimbursed in full from these two sources. Con- versely, we have 30 Wakefield settled cases in other cities and towns whose town share of aid granted is billed to us.
Town Home
Since the advent of Disability Assistance, some persons who would have normally been sent to our Town Home, or aided under the General Relief program, have been made eligible. As a result, the number of residents at the Town Home were decreased, in the early part of 1955, to 9. This results in a higher per capita cost and it was decided, on the basis of economy, to close the Town Home which was completed by Oc- tober 31, 1955. Three of the residents were eligible for Old Age Assist- ance at the time and four were transferred to Disability Assistance, leaving only two who are now being carried under our General Relief program.
Financial Statement-1955
Category
Income
Expense
Disability Assistance
$ 44,296.74
State
$ 18,269.13
Federal
12,799.39
Old Age Assistance Transfer
2,000.00
Refunds
270.53
Aid to Dependent Children
$ 24,893.90
State
$ 6,913.13
Federal
8,859.67
Refunds
848.45
Old Age Assistance
$334,303.20
Other Cities and Towns
$ 5,617.49
$ 5,118.26
State
136,810.60
Federal
124,937.92
Refunds
6,174.50
General Relief
$ 16,455.13
Refunds (Present Year)
$ 150.00
Refunds (Prior Year)
970.44
Other Cities and Towns
2,274.10
State
1,468.75
.
30
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Town Home Salaries Retirement Other Expense Unpaid Bills-Prior Years
$ 3,344.81 941.60 7,235.37
$ 693.00
1,934.60
$329,057.10
$438,523.71
Expense
329,057.10
Income
$109,466.61 24.9%
ADMINISTRATION (All Categories) Board Members
Town Funds Appropriation Expenditures
$ 690.00
690.00
Balance
None
Office Employees Town Funds
Appropriation
$ 14,210.00
Expenditures
14,210.00
Balance
None
Federal Funds
Balance 1954
$ 516.55
Grants 1955
12,978.06
Funds Available
13,494.61
Funds Expended
11,296.06
Balance
$ 2,198.55
Recapitulation
Funds Available (Town and Federal)
$ 28,394.61
Funds Expended (Town and Federal)
26,196.06
Balance
$ 2,198.55
GENERAL RELIEF Town Funds Only Unpaid Bills for Years Prior to 1955
Other Cities and Towns Appropriation Expenditures
$ 2,101.52
1,934.60
Balance Individuals
$ 166.92 None
31
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
Recipients Appropriation Refunds
$ 21,350.00 150.00
Funds Available
$ 21,500.00
Expenditures
15,710.13
Balance
$ 5,789.87
Recapitulation
Funds Available
$ 23,601.52
Funds Expended
17,644.73
Balance
$ 5,956.79
1955 Case Load Distribution
Cases
Amount
Living in Wakefield with Wakefield Settlement
38
$ 6,457.33
Living in Wakefield Without Settlement
4
2,860.54
Living in Other Cities and Towns with Wakefield Settlement
19
3,994.75
Living in Wakefield with Settlement in
6
2,360.65
Division of Child Guardianship Children
3
1,971.46
70
$ 17,644.73
Disability Assistance (Recipients)
Funds Available
Town Appropriation
$ 29,300.00
Federal Balance (1954)
98.36
Federal Grants (1955)
11,783.43
Refunds (Federal Funds)
270.53
Transfer from Old Age Assistance
2,000.00
Total
42,869.28
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 583.04
Source of 1955 Funds
Federal
$ 11,783.43
State
17,761.16
Town
13,907.73
Aid to Dependent Children (Recipients)
Funds Available Town Appropriation Federal Balance (1954)
$ 9,100.00 5,923.65
$ 43,452.32
Other Cities and Towns
32
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Federal Grants (1955) Refunds (Federal Funds)
7,964.70
848.45
Total
$ 23,836.80
Expenditures
23,421.26
Balance (Federal Funds)
$ 415.54
Source of 1955 Funds
Federal
$ 7,964.70
State
6,913.13
Town
8,958.97
Old Age Assistance (Recipients)
Funds Available
Town Appropriation Refunds
$195,000.00 150.00
Federal Balance (1954) Grants (1955) Refunds
113,852.79
6,174.50
Total
$327,751.47
Funds Expended
$309,752.24
Other Cities and Towns
5,118.26
Disability Assistance (Transfer)
2,000.60
316,870.50
Balance
$ 10,880.97
Source of 1955 Funds
Federal
$113,870.79
State
136,810.60
Town
77,070.08
TOWN HOME (Town Funds Only) Administration
Salaries Appropriation Expended
$ 3,702.15
3,344.81
Balance
$ 357.34
Retirement
$ 941.70
Appropriated Expended
941.70
Balance
None
Recipients
12,542.18
33
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
Other Expenses
Appropriated Expended
$ 10,800.00 7,235.37
Balance
$
3,564.63
Recapitulation
$ 15,443.85
Appropriated Expended
11,521.88
Balance
$ 3,921.97
Case Load
17 residents 2,971 Man Days
Gross Cost per Recipient per week
$ 27.14
Net Cost per Recipient per week 25.05
Willard Donnell Trust Funds
Discontinued on December 31, 1954.
34
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Veterans' Services and Benefits
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
$ 38,147.39
Number of Recipients Aided
85 Cases
Medical Cases Aided
43 Cases
Fuel Cases Aided
21 Cases
Veterans' Services
Veterans' Bonus Applications
125
Pension and Compensation Cases
38
Hospitalization
14
Dental and Medical Outpatient
25
Headstone and Markers
2
Housing
12
Insurance
32
Education
60
Tax Abatements
14
On-the-job Training
25
Employment Requests
22
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' Service Director
Report of Personnel Board
The Personnel Board organized in April with the addition of two new members: David Russell, appointed for a three year term and George Winters, elected for a two year term as employee member. Later in the year, subsequent to Mr. Winters' resignation from town employ- ment, an election was held to fill his unexpired term and Herbert Noble was elected.
A survey of pay practices in twelve towns within a radius of 25 miles and in the population group of 15,000 to 30,000 was conducted in late summer and fall. In addition, boards and elected offices of the Town of Wakefield were solicited present their view to the Personnel Board con- cerning possible salary and wage adjustments. This material was studied and articles were prepared and discussed with the Finance Com- mittee recommending specific changes in the by-law.
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